In my ongoing reflections on “the ends justify the means,” I want to explore what the ends of grace might be, given that the means of grace include communal and corporate prayer, worship, fasting, study of scripture, celebration of the sacraments, relational evangelism, works of service and missional outreach, and devotional reflection. If these are the means of grace, what ends do they justify?

Let me first clarify the ends of grace that the means of grace do NOT justify. Unfortunately, our modern Western individualization of the Christian faith leads us to myriad wrong conclusions. The ends of grace are not personal salvation, a guarantee of eternal life in heaven, privileged status, moral superiority, or an ecclesial elected elitism. It isn’t about personal benefit in any significant way, except for the joy of experiencing real faithfulness, commitment, and dedication to fulfilling God’s will.

We in the modern church often define grace in terms of unconditional love, unmerited forgiveness, and divine acceptance (or a brief prayer before dining). However, historically and in early Hebrew and Jewish culture a grace was most appropriately defined as a corporate blessing. Spiritual gifts are given to the individual for the common good, for upbuilding the body, supporting the covenant, and strengthening the community. Graces are God-given gifts to the community for the common good. Such spiritual graces are things such as Sabbath, festivals and feasts, ritual observances defining identity, tradition, and purpose, and practices such as tithing and offerings. These were shared spiritual practices and celebrations of ALL the people, given as opportunities (not burdens or obligations) to benefit the community of faith and strengthen relationship with God. Sabbath was the gift of rest and focus. Tithing was the gift of sharing and protective support for the vulnerable. Feasts and festivals were parties thrown by God to remind people of God’s providence and goodness. The offerings, including ritual fasting, guaranteed there would be adequate resources for the whole community as well as honoring God. All created a system of accountability and stability inclusive of everyone, including widows, orphans, servants, slaves, immigrants, and visitors. These graces laid the foundation for the ends of grace: mercy, compassion, justice, equity, servanthood, and peacemaking.

The Christian faith is not about Christians; Christian faith equips Christians to BE the body of Christ in the world. Our faith is not defined by the perks, benefits, and gains we receive as individuals. Certainly we are recipients of perks, benefits, and gains, but those are fringe benefits, not our reason for being. The measure of our love of God in Christ is how we treat one another, especially strangers. No amount of personal piety means anything without the outward and visible expressions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control we extend to others (the fruit/proof of life lived fully in the Holy Spirit).

The means of grace – the practices that discern, develop, and define our faith – prepare us to ACT. The ends of grace are the ways we live out our faith in relationship to everyone around us. Beliefs that fail to shape behaviors and belonging are false and fallacious. We delude ourselves when we think our faith only involves self and God. God’s grace is for all God’s children, and it is tangibly experienced BETWEEN God’s children, only secondarily by individuals in isolation.

True Christian discipleship is a “we” experience, not a “me” experience. WE are the ends of grace – shaped, equipped, and motivated by the means of grace – manifesting Jesus the Christ through all we think, say, and do – together.