I made a comment in one of my blogs last week that raised a question from one of my readers.
“What is greasy grace?”
What a great question!
Here’s my answer: Greasy grace does not refer at all to the quality of the grace we receive from God. God’s grace lavished on us is the highest form of love and favor in the universe! It cost Him everything and He extends it to all of us free of charge and without a single notion of guilting or controlling us with it.
“Greasy grace” refers to how we as humans view this priceless gift given to us with such love and care. When I truly understand grace I stand amazed at a God who has given so much to one who deserves so little. This grace not only saves me and grants me eternal life, if I receive it rightly it changes me into something more than the fool I once was.
But when I treat this uncommon grace as common…little…mundane…when I accept this gift like it’s another pair of Fruit of the Loom in my Christmas stocking rather than the precious rare commodity it is, then I am not changed. Grace becomes only a tool, a magic trick to get around my misbehavior. It becomes the “grease” by which I think I can slip by God’s righteousness into Heaven.
When people treat grace as greasy they take on mindsets and say things like:
“I’m not perfect. Just forgiven.” Instead of “I am sorry for my sin. Please forgive me.”
AND
“That’s just the way I am. God accepts me so you have to.” Instead of “Please be patient with me God is still working on me.”
To my shame I have been guilty of greasy grace before have you?
Reinventing the We'll 
I never thought of this, but now reading your post, know what you mean. And it makes me sad that I have used grace in a way that it was never intended. 😦 But thankful that I have gotten a chance to ask for forgiveness and have His amazing grace change me. 🙂 Thanks also for the look at how His grace is extended without the single notion of guilting us or controlling us with it. God bless you and grace you today!
A-men Deb! Like you I am grateful for God’s patience with my sinful motives. So glad He is at work to change me from the inside! HE is my only hope!
So many times I have made excuses in the name of grace not just for myself but for others as well. Lord, forgive me for all the times I have misused your grace. Help me to extend grace as you intended. Thank you, God for all the grace you have given me and may I do the same to others. Thanks, Pastor J your blog is quite enlightening.
You are welcome!
Yes I have been guilty of Greasy Grace! I have never heard of this before, a great term!
Thank you. It’s not really my term just something I picked up in my travels! 🙂
Much too often good friend… much too often. A good term I believe I should add to my vocabulary… so that God can remove it from my life. Great piece. Blessings in the name of the One who gives true and pure grace!
And blessings to you as well! Thanks by the way for pointing me towards the Mission To Chad Blog. I have been following and praying for them! You are being the light!