Think about it: Why do people hurt one another? Why do we experience abuse from those who are supposed to protect us? Why do people hate and commit violent acts toward others?
Until we get to the root of the problem, we won’t arrive at a satisfactory solution. We must get beyond the acts to the heart.
Addressing heart issues takes spiritual resources, like grace. We need God’s grace in our lives and in our churches more than we realize.
Not only are we saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9) but we also walk by grace. In order for us to be safe people, we need God’s grace.
We Need Grace for Preventing Problems Because it Gives Us the Power to Become Safe People
What causes us to become unsafe people? — our old sin nature. Under grace, however, “sin shall no longer be your master” (Rom. 6:14). The word of His grace builds us up, being instrumental in our sanctification (Acts 20:32). We can’t rely on the goodness of our own heart or willpower to rise above temptations.
Consequently, we need to regularly point people to the grace of God that “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
We don’t have it within ourselves to be safe people. And, we shouldn’t expect others to be safe people apart from the grace of God. — “He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Tim. 1:9).
Consequently we need to constantly and consistently take ourselves and others to the throne of grace to receive the needed mercy and grace (Heb. 4:16). — “we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 1:11-12)
Unfortunately, not everyone will pull on God’s grace for preventing problems so we may still find unsafe people within and outside of our churches. Consequently, as a Church we do need to take safety measures. And, we will still need to pull on God’s grace to cope and properly respond when the unthinkable happens — the topics of upcoming posts.
For More on These Topics, Go To:
All Posts about Safety Issues:
- Safety Because Love Always Protects
- Safety Coordinated by a Church Security Team
- Safety Takes Everybody Doing Their Part
- Safety Because of the Great Commission
- Church Safety: WWJD?
- Integrity Breaks in Church Safety
- Focus of Church Safety
- Perspective in Church Safety
- Dangerous Gospel?
- Scripture Useful for Church Safety?
- Biblical Principles for Dealing with Safety Issues
- Power of Grace in Church Safety
- Power of Grace for Preventing Problems
- Power of Grace for Coping
- Power of Grace Enables Godly Responses
- Safety in the Name of the Lord?
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of Prayer in Safety
- The Spirit in the Midst of Church Safety?
- Church Safety as a Ministry Using Spiritual Gifts?
- The Real Enemy of Church Safety
- God Has a Bigger Picture When Bad Things Happen
- Leaders’ Roles Dictate How They Handle Church Safety
- Qualities Leaders Need in Church Safety Efforts