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Opening Ourselves to Grace:
The Basics of Christian Discipleship

WHAT ARE THE MEANS OF GRACE?

The means of grace (basic Christian practices) are divided into two general categories: works of piety and works of mercy. Works of piety are how Christians grow and mature in loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The works of mercy are how disciples live out their love for God in the world by loving their neighbors as themselves in acts of compassion and justice.

The works of piety are prayer, worship, the Lord’s Supper, reading and hearing Scripture, mutual accountability and support in small groups (Christian conference), and fasting (or abstinence). These are acts of devotion and acts of worship. They are both public (worship, the Lord’s Supper, Christian conference) and private (prayer, studying Scripture, fasting).

Works of mercy are the counterpoint for the works of piety. It’s important to understand that the two go hand in hand. They create a life of harmony and balance. For if we are paying attention to God in prayer, worship, and Scripture reading, we will be compelled to service in the world; loving those whom God loves, as God loves them.

The works of mercy are derived from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:31-46. In this parable, Jesus tells his disciples, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Therefore, feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing those who have no clothes, caring for the sick, and visiting the prisoners are, according to Jesus, expectations of following him in the world. We can add to this list Jesus’ mission of bringing good news to the poor, release to captives, opening the eyes of the blind, and liberation for those who are oppressed. In other words, those who follow Jesus are to be people of God’s Jubilee – people of compassion and justice (Luke 4:18-19). We are to be sign communities for the coming reign of God (Matthew 5:3-12).

How do we maintain the balance that is so important to growing in love of God and neighbor? We need help with this because, left on our own, our practice of the means of grace will gravitate toward those that suit our temperament or personality. For example, an introvert will naturally be drawn to some of the works of piety (private prayer, Bible study, and fasting) and will tend to neglect worship, Christian conference, and most of the works of mercy. On the other hand, an extroverted person will naturally be drawn to those works of piety and mercy that suit his or her temperament but will neglect time alone with God in prayer and reflection.

Maintaining balance is essential for Christian formation and faithful discipleship. Attending to all the teachings of Jesus, and not just those that suit our temperament, is how grace forms our character and heals our souls. Attending to a balanced discipleship is also how we contribute to building up the body of Christ and equipping one another for ministry in the world (Ephesians 4:12). It is how we participate in and cooperate with God's work of forming and healing human lives and communities that are characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

NEXT: A Rule of Life