Media Gratiae
Dear brothers and sisters,
So often we look for the extraordinary. We search for the miraculous, the incredible, the spectacular. Often we are disappointed because by very definition the extraordinary does not ordinarily happen! “If only God would tell me whether or not to go for that job”; “if only divine inspiration could come, then I would know what to do about this problem”; “I wish, just for once, I could be the one with the miracle”. But God has given us so much more in Christ than one magical moment could ever give. He has given us everything we need to endure. The reformed church has often referred to this precious gift as “media gratiae”, or “ordinarius media gratiae” – ordinary means of grace. This phrase used to be commonly known and was an important part of the catechising, or teaching, the church like this example from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
Question 88:
Question: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are, His ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer, all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
In essence, our Father in Heaven has provided everything we need for this life and the next. We don’t need a miracle to endure – we’ve already received one – salvation and rebirth in Jesus’ name and by the Holy Spirit. If you’re looking for a miracle, there it is! You are already the beneficiary of one! And to the new believer Christ gives ordinary means of grace to live by. He has given us His Word – sharper than any two-edged sword and profitable for teaching, for reproof and for training in righteousness. He has given us the gift of prayer wherein we can approach the throne of our Father and bring every need to him. The reformers included repentance and confession as part of prayer, seeing them as vital ordinary means of grace. And God has given us the church, his body, our fellow brothers and sisters to walk with us and to help us in our hour of need.
How spectacularly unspectacular! That’s it, pastor? That’s your advice? I’m really struggling. And your advice is to read my Bible, pray, repent, confess and be a part of my local church?
Yes.
I’m not saying there isn’t more to be done in certain circumstances; nor am I saying that other kinds of help may not be needed in times of acute crises, especially regarding physical and mental health. But when it comes to life and salvation; when it comes to holiness and sin; relationships and life plans; dark days and grief; sorrow and despair; loneliness and isolation; a feeling of being stuck, that Jesus is far away when I need him most – then avail yourself of all the means of grace your heavenly father has already provided. The flesh, the devil and the world are real enemies – don’t allow them the time of day. Flee to Christ regularly. Make Him your first port of call. Build habits of holiness. Spend time with the church. Seek the Lord in prayer. Confess your sins. Although life is often complex, the reasons for our problems often aren’t. Either sin has won the day in your life or in someone else’s, this fallen world we inhabit is wreaking havoc only Christ’s return will fix, or our adversary the devil has won a little victory – in all these circumstances our need is for Christ to mediate his grace and life to us. And so, learn to love the “ordinarius media gratiae”. They make for extraordinarily good companions even if, at times, they don’t feel extraordinary.
Nathan