[Scripture reading for this Bible study noted throughout.]
God created us to live daily in divine partnership with Him. His intent from the beginning was that everything He did would be for, with and through us, and everything we do in turn is to be for, with and through Him. Partnership is a committed working together to accomplish a common goal. Whether it is a marriage, business, ministry, organization or partnership with God, we have to have a clearly defined understanding of what that common goal is. Only then can we consistently and effectively work together to achieve it. The common objective of partnership with God is the glory and grace of God.
Glory of God is by far the most important thing for us to ever grasp, yet the hardest to put into words. God’s glory exceeds any equivalent in heaven or earth. He alone is God, with a glory that is His alone. (Isaiah 45:21,22 and Exodus 20:3-5a). God’s glory is His divine uniqueness. When we recognize His divine uniqueness and exalt Him accordingly, then we are giving to Him the glory that He alone deserves. (Psalm 29:1,2; Psalm 96:7,8)
God manifests His glory through creation (Psalm 19:1-6; 97:6). (At times to the extreme, as when the glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud or as fire. (Exodus 16:10; 24:16,17; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3).) His glory is also manifested through His word and the telling of His story. But foremost, His glory is manifested through Jesus. He does so exclusively through grace and truth. (John 1:1-4,14) Glory and grace cannot be separated.
Grace is the demonstration of God’s love and character, the essence of who He is given freely to those willing to receive it. It is lavished on us, so that we can be abundantly gracious and God is glorified with abandonment. Being gracious means God showing up through us.
Grace is often misinterpreted to mean that since it is freely given there is no cost to us personally. We have to understand that partnering with God for the common purpose of glory and grace has a hefty price tag. Wholehearted commitment to the common objective of glory and grace costs everything we are and have in each and every situation. Jesus was willing to pay the price of that partnership. We too have to decide if we are willing to pay the cost involved. Unfortunately, when the cost of grace is deemed “too high” what is discounted or shortchanged is God’s glory. How much we are willing to invest determines how much of God’s grace is multiplied and His glory magnified: none, some or all.
Costly grace is an uncomfortable concept. Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term in his book The Cost of Discipleship. He explains the difference between “cheap grace that we bestow on ourselves” and costly grace that cost Jesus everything. Cheap grace rightfully recognizes that Jesus paid in full our sin debt. It willingly accepts all God offers through Christ, but gives nothing in return. Costly grace recognizes the full extent of what grace cost and offers up everything in response. The cost was His life for ours, and is our life for His. Obviously we get the better deal, but it still is a cost that must be paid daily and willingly.
Making It Personal
What impact does having or not having a clearly defined objective have on the partnerships you are involved in?
How does having a divine objective of God’s glory and grace redefine your role and relationships with God and others?
Our role in this divine partnership can be compared with the following formula:
God’s grace (His love and character)
x % of my willingness to partner with Him
God’s manifested glory.
For example:
God’s grace x 10% of me = God’s glory/10
God’s grace x 25% of my heart = God’s glory/4
God’s grace x 50% of my willingness = God’s glory halved.
What determines in any given situation the percent of your willingness?
What difference does it make if the focus is on …
… the cost?
… the value you put on God’s extended grace?
… the extent you desire His glory?
Jesus demonstrated 100% willingness. What percent do you consistently demonstrate?
