Steve McVey - The Secret of Grace: Stop Following the Rules and Start Living

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Verses marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

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Verses marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Emphasis (italics) in Scripture quotations has been added by the author.

Cover by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon

Cover photo Mr. Suwit Gaewsee-Ngam / Shutterstock

THE SECRET OF GRACE

Revised and updated edition of Grace Rules

Copyright 1998, 2014 by Steve McVey

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McVey, Steve, 1954-

[Grace rules]

The secret of grace / Steve McVey.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-7369-5782-3 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-5783-0 (eBook)

1. Salvation. 2. Grace (Theology) 3. Christian life. I. Title.

BT751.3.M38 2014

234dc23

2013015295

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To Gabriel Steven McVey, whose recent entrance into this world is a gift to all of us.

Books are shaped within the context of the authors life. In other words, other people influence those who write the books. This is a great blessing to me because I have great people surrounding me, who constantly encourage me and fan the flame of grace in my own grace walk.

I am so thankful for the Grace Walk team I work beside in sharing this message. Each one of them has been such a gift to me as Ive grown and moved forward in my own journey of grace. They are all exceptional teachers of grace who stand on the front line in spreading the message of our Fathers unconditional love. I love every one of you.

Im indebted to all the team at Harvest House Publishers. For almost two decades they have stood shoulder to shoulder with me in spreading the message of grace through the books Ive written. Ive not met one person there who doesnt express their role as a ministry first and business afterward. From the initial concept to the finished product, their fingerprints are on what I do. Im particularly appreciative to Paul Gossard, my editor for this book. His insight and suggestions had an important part in causing this book to be what it is, and for that Im grateful.

My endless thanks remain with Melanie, the love of my life. After 40 years of marriage, she is still the biggest influence on me in every good way. Who could have imagined the road we would travel? I am so glad Ive traveled it with her.

Finally, and most importantly, I give any glory for anything good that may come from this book to my Savior. My very existence is in Him, and to Him I give praise for anything of real value that might flow from me.

C ONTENTS

Opening His eyes, Jesus could see the early morning light beginning to filter in through the window of the small guest bedroom where He had spent the night. He could hear His friend already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. No doubt about itthe mother of all buffets was being prepared. Martha always put out a great spread of food. He loved being in the home of these two sisters and their brother. For a moment He wished He could take the day off and spend some time with them. It would be nice , He thought, but the devil never takes a day off. And besides, My Father is counting on Me.

Arising from the comfort of the bed, Jesus began to mentally organize His day. What shall I do for My Father today? He pondered. I know that Ill preach a sermon this afternoon. Thats one thing that will cause Father to really be happy with Me. As He washed His face with a wet cloth, He continued, There are many sick people in the area. Ill heal some of them. My Father would certainly be pleased with that. Maybe Ill even cast out some demons today. Thats always a big ministry event. When He finished dressing, He thought, Maybe if all goes well, I can even find a funeral service and raise somebody from the dead. Yes. Thats what Ill do. Father will be thrilled when He sees Me take on a ministry project like that. Those things should pretty much fill My day. Slipping on His sandals just before walking out of the bedroom to face the new day, He prayed, Help Me, Father, as I try my best to live for You today. Use what I do for You to bring glory to Yourself.

A Reality Check

What are your thoughts on that scenario describing how Jesus might have begun a new day? If it sounds pretty good to you, I implore you, dont put down this book until you have finished reading it. I assume you know I have described this imaginary scene with tongue in cheek. Nobody would imagine Jesus living His life in such a way. Jesus trying to score brownie points with His Father? Theres no way.

Yet for many years, I started my day in a similar way. I arose each morning focusing on all the things I planned to do for God during the day. I believed that the reason God opened my eyes to Him was so I could serve Him, and I certainly tried my hardest to do that. I dedicated myself to living for Jesus.

I was diligent and sincere and often felt successful at it. With my Bible in one hand and my Day-Timer in the other, I went forward to make my mark for God in what I then saw as this heathen world.

I was a local church pastor for over 20 years and I was serious about it. My life was dedicated to trying my best to serve Jesus Christ. My behavior wasnt always consistent, but my desire was. I wanted to live for Him and I tried my best to do the things I thought He wanted me to do.

Even when I didnt think I was doing a good job of it, I still wanted it. I believed everybody should try to do the things God wants them to do and that, as a pastor, it was my calling to tell them how to do it. Every week I would preach sermons intended to motivate the congregation to try harder, by Gods help, to do the right things.