Grace is the Power of the Gospel…
When we are uncertain or unaware of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and of our new creation identity, then we are more likely to be led astray by doctrines and teachings that are not anchored in gospel truth (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20). Many messages communicate that we need to do something or add to what Christ has accomplished, and we are then led into endless protocols, procedures, and religious duties that place a heavy yoke and burden on our lives (Galatians 3:3; Matthew 11:28-30). What is supposed to be liberating actually ends up becoming oppressive, and so heaviness and torment become our experience (Romans 8:15).
When I was involved in the hyper-charismatic movement, there were many doctrines that I was taught and believed that resulted in many issues in my life—mystical/legalistic deliverance protocols, NAR apostle and prophet teachings, spiritual covering deception, and revival culture expectations that were exhausting and burdensome. The list could go on and on of teachings that I ended up believing that led to bondage (Galatians 5:1).
It can be very difficult to identify the oppressiveness, the manipulation, and the control when you’re in it because you’re just trying to survive. The messages taught and communicated fill hearts with uncertainty of salvation and paint a warped picture of God—one where He is very temperamental and difficult to please. If you don’t do just the right thing, then He won’t move, He won’t send revival, He won’t heal, He won’t respond. It is communicated directly or indirectly that what is happening or not happening is dependent upon the behavior and works of the people (Galatians 2:21; Romans 11:6). You aren’t praying enough, you have a sin issue, you have a generational curse, you need to have a deliverance session, you need to go into the courts of heaven, you need a sozo, you need to go to this minister, you have this problem, you’re lukewarm, and so on. People are told they have these issues, and then unfruitful and sometimes unbiblical “solutions” that bring forth zero freedom and minimal change are presented.
When people who sincerely want to please God and do the right thing find themselves in this type of setting, they often will tolerate it just so they are not causing issues or not “partnering” with the enemy to cause division. Something seems off, but discernment is quickly thrown out and labeled as the enemy attacking or the enemy seeking to “stop the move of God”. It’s often taught that God is building His army, and so I began to see myself as an enlisted soldier that better toughen up and line up or I would become a casualty. The environment created so much fear inside of me that it was unbearable at times. Would I be saved? Would I go to hell? How does anyone ever know they’re okay? Was I doing enough? A cycle of fear and performance became my world (Romans 8:15; 1 John 4:18).
The obligations and requirements seemed endless. Constant prayer meetings, pressing in, pushing and contending for revival, declaring and decreeing, constant altar calls, addressing demons and strongholds through deliverance sessions and inner healing, going to conferences trying to get “breakthrough,” and trying to stay saved by not sinning or backsliding. It was all so exhausting. The law makes sin come alive (Romans 7:9-11), so when you try to live by the law, there is no way that you can overcome sin (Galatians 5:4). I was so sin-conscious that I was literally, with no exaggeration, repenting and asking for forgiveness hundreds of times a day. There was no rest, and I began to burn out (Hebrews 4:10). I actually got to the point where I said, “God, if this is what it is to follow you, I don’t think I can do it.” It was such a difficult time—but glory be to God, I found the gospel.
I remember when I first heard the message of grace and immediately thought to myself, “This is so different than what I am hearing at church or from the ministries I was following.” To be honest, it was all very confusing at first. Who was right? All of these people claiming to be speaking for God and teaching the Word were communicating totally different messages. But God bore witness with the truth in my heart (Romans 8:16), and I began to pursue an understanding of the gospel with all of my heart.
In my pursuit of truth, I found the most amazing love and met a wonderful Father who was nothing like what I was perceiving Him to be. He is truly kind (Romans 2:4), and He wasn’t angry at me or disappointed with me. He wasn’t a drill sergeant enlisting me into an army—He is a Father who was inviting me home (Luke 15:20-24). He wasn’t condemning me over sin (Romans 8:1) or expecting me to save the world. He invited me into a relationship where the yoke is easy and the burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). For once, I had hope, and I was excited about life and the gospel. You see, grace is the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16), and it is through rightly understanding grace and faith righteousness that you truly become free (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:17; John 8:32).
I didn’t have to go after all of the lies and the weeds of the error I was taught in order to be free. As I continued to put the truth of the gospel in my heart, the fruit in my life began to change, and the error weeded itself out automatically (Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:22-23). The gospel is that powerful. The truth of God’s Word, rightfully divided, is that powerful (2 Timothy 2:15). When we focus on the all-sufficiency of Christ and who we now are because of Him, our whole life will change. You will be able to discern religious error, you will be able to see when someone is putting a yoke of bondage on you (Galatians 5:1), you will overcome the sin that once so easily entangled you (Hebrews 12:1-2), and you will have peace that surpasses all understanding because you know and believe that everything you get is because of Jesus—not your performance (Philippians 4:7; Ephesians 1:3). The good news declares that it’s not about you, it’s all about Jesus (Colossians 1:18). Righteousness is a gift that we cannot earn or maintain by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The gospel announces that because of Christ we can be made whole (Colossians 2:10), complete, holy (Colossians 1:22), be fully forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), become fully righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21), and receive all spiritual blessings as a gift (Ephesians 1:3). We don’t have to strive, behave, perform, or do the right ritual to get God to move or give us anything. He has already moved through Christ and has already provided everything we could ever need (2 Peter 1:3; Romans 8:32). He loves us that much, and what Jesus accomplished is that amazing.
When you are tempted to look at yourself—your works, your sin, your performance, your prayer life, your this or your that—look to Jesus instead and you will never be ashamed (Romans 10:11). He did all of the heavy lifting so that we can rest in Him (Hebrews 4:10-11). Our only job is to simply believe and receive all of His promises by faith (Galatians 3:14; John 1:12). The gospel will always point you to Jesus, and religion will always point you to yourself.
