“Grace” & “Faith” | Gifts Have Strings Attached

In the Greco-Roman world, there was an intricate system of patrons who would do such favors for clients who were in need. This unmerited favor was called “charis” [χάρις] (like charity).¹

The clients were to respond with faith(fulness) — gratitude, public praise, and loyalty. This was called “pistis” [πίστις].²

One might recognize remnants of this patron-client system in The Godfather. The Godfather (patron) does a favor for a client in need; the client is supposed to respond in good faith.³

When the New Testament authors speak of grace (charis) and faith (pistis), they are employing this patronage language.⁴

In response to the grace (charis) of God (Patron) through Jesus Christ, they write that we (clients) should respond with faithfulness (pistis).⁵

Contrary to Mark Twain and more modern redefinitions, “faith” is not “believing what you know ain’t so.”⁶ Neither is such faith mere intellectual assent.

Properly understood, biblical faith(fulness) is active trust (e.g., gratitude, public praise, and loyalty) in response to Amazing Grace.

#TrueFaith #DivinePatronClientRelationship#MisreadingScriptureWithWesternEyes

God: The Ultimate Patron

In Scripture, God is “the ultimate [P]atron.”⁷ Every good and perfect gift comes from God (Jas 1:17), who gives both to the just and the unjust, the ungrateful and the wicked (Mt 5:45, Lk 6:35).⁸

God, however, is no one’s client. Paul ends the eleventh chapter of Romans with a fitting doxology:

35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.(Rom 11:35-36, NIV. Emphasis added)⁹

As scholars note:

The Father’s matchless gift to all humankind, regardless of race or status, was the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Gal 3:28). As mediator, Jesus becomes the broker who grants access to the Father for all who believe [πιστεύω | pisteuō] in him (John 15:14–16; Rom 5:1–2). He in turn mediates the gift of the Spirit and all of the charismatic gifts that empower the church (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5; Rom 12:3–8; 1 Cor 12:1–31).¹⁰

Faith: Our Grateful Response To God’s Grace

In response to God’s Amazing Grace through Jesus Christ, we are to respond in good faith — in complete and utter devotion. Such devotion is manifested not only through gratitude and public praise, but loyal obedience.

Faith in Christ — calling Jesus “Lord” (Rom 10:9) — necessarily entails obedience to Jesus as our Lord (Rom 1:5, Rom 16:26). For “faith” without deeds (of obedience) is dead (Jas 2:26). Moreover, love for God entails obedience (Jn 14:15, Jn 15:14, 1 Jn 5:3, etc.).

We know a tree is an apple tree if it bears apples. We know a tree is a pear tree if it bears pears. Similarly, one who has true faith in Christ will necessarily bear the fruit of that faith in obedience to Christ. One who has the Holy Spirit ought to bear fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

Our response to the grace of the Ultimate Patron should ultimately be our entire lives (Rom 12:1-2).¹¹ We should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and was raised again (2 Cor 5:15).

We would be wise to remember that “all ancient gifts came with strings attached.“¹²

The Ungrateful

To refuse the gracious gift of a patron — and consequently their offer of “friendship” — was rude.¹³

Our refusal of God’s Amazing Grace can have dire ramifications.  “The ungrateful can expect to receive the ill consequences due the unfaithful (Heb 6:4–8; Rom 2:4–5).”¹⁴

In response to God’s grace, may we always be grateful and faithful.