Embracing Future Grace: The Gift of God's Ongoing Love

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to understand the profound difference between living under the debtor's ethic and embracing the concept of future grace. The debtor's ethic suggests that because God has given us grace, we must work hard to repay Him. However, this mindset is flawed and contrary to the essence of grace. Grace is not a debt to be repaid; it is a continuous, unearned gift from God. Future grace means that God’s grace is not just a past event but an ongoing reality that sustains us every moment. Every breath, every heartbeat, and every act of faith is a testament to this grace.

Living by future grace means acknowledging that we are perpetually in debt to God’s grace, not in a burdensome way, but in a liberating way that keeps us reliant on Him. This reliance glorifies God as the ultimate giver, while we remain the grateful receivers. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in 1 Corinthians 15:10, where he acknowledges that his hard work is not his own but the result of God’s grace working through him.

Moreover, if we could repay God, grace would cease to be grace. It would become a transaction, which diminishes the beauty and power of grace. Instead, we are called to lift up the cup of salvation, continually seeking God’s provision and strength. This is beautifully illustrated in Psalm 116:12-13, where the psalmist asks what he can render to the Lord and answers by lifting up the cup of salvation, symbolizing a life of receiving from God.

Our God is unique in that He works for those who wait for Him, as stated in Isaiah 64:4. Unlike the gods of other religions, who demand to be served, our God delights in serving us, carrying us from birth to old age. This is the essence of future grace—God’s ongoing, active involvement in our lives, ensuring that He is glorified as the giver, and we are blessed as the receivers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Flaw of the Debtor's Ethic: The debtor's ethic is fundamentally flawed because it turns grace into a transaction. Grace is a continuous gift from God, not a debt to be repaid. Living by grace means acknowledging our perpetual need for God's provision and strength. [14:46]
• 2. Future Grace as a Sustaining Force: Future grace is the understanding that God's grace is not just a past event but an ongoing reality. Every moment of our lives is sustained by His grace, from our ability to breathe to our capacity to believe. [13:16]
• 3. God as the Ultimate Giver: God is glorified when He is the giver, and we are the receivers. Our role is to remain in a position of dependence, continually seeking His grace and provision, which in turn glorifies Him. [16:54]
• 4. The Unique Nature of Our God: Unlike other deities, our God works for those who wait for Him. He carries us throughout our lives, demonstrating His love and commitment to us, which is a testament to His unique nature. [21:22]
• 5. Prayer as a Means of Receiving Grace: Prayer is the key to receiving God's grace. By lifting up the cup of salvation and calling upon the Lord, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and open ourselves to His abundant grace. [18:57]
  ** [18:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:55] - The Lone Ranger Analogy
• [11:26] - The Debtor's Ethic Explained
• [12:14] - Introduction to Future Grace
• [12:41] - The Impossibility of the Debtor's Ethic
• [13:16] - Understanding Future Grace
• [14:46] - The Offense of the Debtor's Ethic
• [15:16] - Paul's Example of Grace
• [16:17] - Grace for Every Good Deed
• [16:54] - God as the Giver
• [17:29] - Grace vs. Financial Transaction
• [18:00] - Psalm 116 and the Cup of Salvation
• [19:29] - Prayer and Receiving Grace
• [20:21] - The Uniqueness of Our God
• [21:47] - God Carries Us

1. 1 Corinthians 15:10
2. Psalm 116:12-13
3. Isaiah 64:4

1. According to 1 Corinthians 15:10, how does Paul describe the role of grace in his life and work? How does this relate to the concept of the debtor's ethic? [14:58]
2. In Psalm 116:12-13, what does the psalmist suggest as a response to God's benefits? How does this differ from the debtor's ethic? [18:00]
3. Isaiah 64:4 describes a unique characteristic of God. What is this characteristic, and how does it contrast with the gods of other religions? [21:22]
4. How does the sermon describe the continuous nature of God's grace, and what examples are given to illustrate this ongoing grace? [13:16]

1. What does it mean to live by "future grace," and how does this concept challenge the traditional view of grace as a past event? [13:16]
2. How does the idea of being a "grateful receiver" of God's grace, as opposed to trying to repay it, change one's perspective on their relationship with God? [16:54]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living by the debtor's ethic is an offense to God? How does this perspective align with the biblical passages discussed? [14:46]
4. How does the sermon use the analogy of the Lone Ranger and Tonto to illustrate the flawed nature of the debtor's ethic? What does this analogy reveal about our understanding of grace? [11:26]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to "repay" God for His grace. How can embracing the concept of future grace change your approach to this feeling? [14:46]
2. How can you practice being a "grateful receiver" of God's grace in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to acknowledge and rely on His grace more fully? [16:54]
3. Consider the unique nature of God as described in Isaiah 64:4. How does this understanding of God working for those who wait for Him impact your faith and trust in Him? [21:22]
4. The sermon emphasizes prayer as a means of receiving grace. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your routine to open yourself to God's abundant grace? [18:57]
5. Identify an area in your life where you have been trying to "earn" God's favor. How can you shift your mindset to one of reliance on His grace instead? [14:46]
6. How does the concept of future grace encourage you to live with a sense of freedom and reliance on God rather than feeling burdened by the need to repay Him? [13:16]
7. Reflect on the analogy of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. In what ways might you be living your Christian life with a similar mindset, and how can you change this approach to align more closely with the message of grace? [11:26]