Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 6:8 (ISV)

There are three types of people when it comes to the gospel of grace: grace-ignorant, grace-migrant, and grace-native.

The grace-ignorant are those who cannot grasp the concept of grace (no matter how much you teach or how long you have been teaching them). This group includes the Pharisees. They not only resist grace but also oppose God's grace in Christ. They would later break many laws (that they were supposed to uphold) in order to charge Jesus with breaking their man-made rules and regulations.

Grace-migrants are people who discovered grace along their faith journey. Because grace was not their "first language" when they were growing up in church, they "speak" it with an accent. Many of us are learning to let go of self-effort in order to fully rest in Christ. We are clear about the gospel of God's grace, but we have occasionally reverted to a religion of works and self-righteousness.

The grace-natives are grace naturals. They are born and raised in grace, and they grow stronger and stronger as they allow God's grace to work in their lives. Even when they face setbacks and disappointments, grace enables them to regain their faith in God.

Which one are you?

Stephen is a fine example of a grace native. God lavished him with the fullness of grace and goodness. Plērēs is the Greek word for "completely filled up; covered in every part and lacking nothing." Luke uses a word picture here. Stephen was so completely immersed in God’s grace that if you squeezed him, grace just oozed out of him. Because God's grace was working in and through Stephen, he accomplished many amazing feats. Even as he died at the hands of his enemies, Stephen graciously prayed to God to spare them. And God answered His prayer.

You, like Stephen, have God's grace and power through faith in Jesus. Simply act in faithful obedience to who God has created you to be in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Every day, be a grace native in everything you do, everywhere you go.