“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.“

Titus 3:4-7 

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September 1, 2025

This week we’re exploring the question “Why the means of grace?” But what is this question even asking?  

“Means of grace” is a phrase in Christian theology that refers to the ways God pours grace upon us. On one hand, we are always swimming in God’s grace, we exist in and because of grace. It isn’t as though there are replenishing stations we need to visit lest we run out. God’s grace and presence is all and nothing can exist without it. As Paul said to the church in Colossae:  

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20 

And yet, there are certain moments, certain vehicles, where we believe God meets us in a special way. Some traditions refer to these as sacraments, while others call them ordinances. They can also be described as means of grace.  

Does this sound like a lot of confusing theological mumbo-jumbo? It doesn’t need to. Think about an important relationship in your life: a parent, spouse, child, or friend. If the relationship is strong and healthy, you are always inside it. You can be at work filing papers while he’s at the grocery store weighing apricots, but the love between you remains and sustains you both. And yet, at the same time, this isn’t quite enough. We need moments where that love becomes tangible, touchable. Even if we live on opposite sides of the planet, we need the occasional phone call or reunion.  

That might be a helpful metaphor for thinking about God’s grace. This week, we’ll look at four means of grace—prayer, scripture, baptism, and communion—where we come close enough to be touched by God’s grace, though He is never far from any of us (Acts 17:27). 

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Have you heard the phrase “means of grace”?  
  • In what ways do you rely on God’s presence and grace all day, every day?  
  • In what ways does it help to have special, intentional encounters with God’s grace?  

Church Reading Plan: 1 Kings 1; Galatians 5