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  "path": "/2026/04/13/resurrection-grace-holy-spirit/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-13T16:33:41.000Z",
  "site": "https://juicyecumenism.com",
  "tags": [
    "Wesleyan",
    "Ryan N. Danker",
    "John Wesley Institute",
    "here",
    "consider a gift today here",
    "Resurrection, Grace, and the Holy Spirit",
    "Juicy Ecumenism"
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  "textContent": "_“Every good gift is from God, and is given to man by the Holy Ghost. By nature there is in us no good thing. And there can be none, but so far as it is wrought in us by that good Spirit.”_ -John Wesley\n\nGrace is a vital part of the Christian life. In fact, it’s the fuel that we need to participate in God’s work in the world and his work in us.\n\nSometimes, I hear rather humdrum definitions of grace. It’s popular in some parts of the Protestant world to describe grace as God’s “unmerited favor.” This is a fine definition of one aspect of grace, but it doesn’t capture the full picture.\n\nJohn Wesley had a great, and short, definition: grace is the power of the Holy Spirit.\n\nNotice how this description of grace is not only dynamic, but relational.\n\nThis dynamic view of grace comes from the larger tradition of the Church, and in particular from Wesley’s own Church of England. He learned this definition by praying the prayers of the Church, which describe grace as God’s “power” and His “governance.” It’s this divine power that enables one to live a Christlike life.\n\nWithout grace, the faith teaches us that we are, in the words of St. Augustine, “turned in upon ourselves.” After the Fall, sin marred the image of God in each of us even if it didn’t erase it. But the damage caused by sin made us selfish, self-interested, and devoid of the ways that lead to true life, and true happiness.\n\nBut God didn’t leave us in that state. In His continued rescue mission—the calling of Israel, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the founding of His Church—God pours out his grace upon the world.\n\nGrace entails a dynamic and life-giving relationship with God. We could describe it as the active repercussion of God’s very presence in our lives.\n\nAnd it is that grace that enables us to turn to Him, to accept His love and forgiveness, and ultimately to partake in the new life made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection.\n\nThe grace of God was not only seen in the Cross, emanating from Jesus’ self-offering for you and for me, but Easter morning saw an explosion of grace. The new creation that Christ launched in that graveyard just outside of Jerusalem is a new creation of grace, of presence, pardon, power, and hope.\n\nIn this season of Easter, a season that lasts 50 days, take hold of the grace of God, participate in the means of grace, celebrate the fact that Christ was raised from the dead, and let the Holy Spirit work in you, by grace.\n\n* * *\n\n_Ryan N. Danker is director of the_ John Wesley Institute_, Washington, DC_.  _This is adapted from a weekly JWI newsletter that can be subscribed to_ here_._\n\n* * *\n\n**P.S.** The JWI/_Good News_ needs to raise $10,000 each month to continue this ministry. We are behind this month, so your help is needed more than ever. Please **consider a gift today here**  or contact me directly if you would like to discuss other giving options. Thank you!\n\nThe post Resurrection, Grace, and the Holy Spirit appeared first on Juicy Ecumenism.",
  "title": "Resurrection, Grace, and the Holy Spirit"
}