Grace forgives sins—but does that exhaust its meaning?

In The Grace That Is in Christ Jesus, Sigurd Bratlie focuses on grace as the active power and help of God in a person's life. Grace does not merely meet the believer with forgiveness for what lies in the past. It is intended to teach, transform, and enable a person to resist sin and do the will of God.

From this perspective, Bratlie addresses fundamental Christian questions. How are grace and law related? What is the relationship between faith and works? What does it mean that 'grace and truth' came through Jesus Christ? And what role does grace play in sanctification?

The emphasis is therefore on a dynamic understanding of grace. Christ is not only the One through whom a person receives forgiveness; in Him the believer also finds help and power for a new life. Bratlie consequently connects the biblical teaching on grace closely with discipleship, obedience, and inward transformation.

'Grace not only means forgiveness, it also means help. Heb. 4:16. Grace is not only given to forgive our sins, but also to teach us not to sin. Tit. 2:11-12. If we understand grace in this way, we will be rid of the false comfort which says, 'Sinning is not really so serious, because grace is always available,' and get that true comfort which says, 'No matter how bound in sin I am now, I can receive sufficient grace to be completely delivered and have victory.''

The Grace That Is in Christ Jesus invites readers to reconsider one of the central concepts of the New Testament: grace not only as God's unmerited favor, but as His active help through which the Christian life can be transformed.

The Grace that is in Christ Jesus

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