God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn’t based on what we have done, but it was based on His own purpose and grace that He gave us in Christ Jesus before time began."

2 Timothy 1:9 (CEV)

 

A superficial understanding of grace is more frustrating than a lack of complete understanding of grace. It causes some people to abuse grace, whether through legalism or antinomianism.

Consider how these two perspectives view the role of holiness in the Christian life. Legalism asserts that "holiness is more necessary than grace". Antinomianism asserts that "Grace makes holiness unnecessary." Both fail to reflect or glorify the gospel, instead subjecting it to criticism and rejection by people who do not grasp God's grace.

The Apostle Paul however tells Timothy that God saved us and chose us to live holy lives because of His grace. This means that no Christian should regard grace and holiness as diametrically opposed, or as two conflicting ways of life within the context of the gospel.

Without a doubt, holiness is not achieved through our "might nor power" of self-effort but by the Spirit of grace (cf. Zechariah 4:6-7).

Paul reveals that it was God's design from the beginning to offer us this grace in Christ, not because we earned it, but so that we could fully live by His grace. In other words, our holiness is dependent and empowered by grace. Grace-filled holiness is the Spirit of Christ working mightily in us, and so our holiness is not measured by how much we do, but how lovingly we respond to God's grace every time. This leads to holy living and brings glory our Father God (Matthew 5:17; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 2:10).