The Gospel Alphabet: G is for Grace

A | B | C | D | E | F

In his book, Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, J.I. Packer has a chapter entitled “The Gospel as of First Importance.”  In that chapter, Packer discusses the pastoral and formational applications of the Gospel.  Many are familiar with the quote from Tim Keller that “the Gospel is not the ABC’s of the Christian life; it is the A through Z of the Christian life.”  Packer writes,

“In that spirit we offer the following ‘Gospel Alphabet’–twenty-six pastoral and formative reasons why the Gospel must retain primacy as the content of Christian education” (108).

This week, we come to the letter “G”.

G is for Grace

We need to continually learn and teach the Gospel because Gospel-centricity assures and propels us toward grace-centricity.  When we swerve from the Gospel we lapse into either antinomianism or legalism.  Neither can offer the true beauty or savor of Christ.  To be in the presence of individuals or congregations who are not grace-centered is enervating and exasperating.  Let us then learn and relearn the glorious Gospel that we may ever stand fast in the true grace of God (1 Peter 5:12) and may indeed “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forevermore. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).