Podcast Summary: "Grace Reigns Because God Is Love"
Living Influence with Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd
Episode: Grace Reigns Because God Is Love
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Introduction
In this poignant episode of Living Influence, co-hosts Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd delve deep into the profound concept of grace, exploring its multifaceted nature and its pivotal role in understanding our relationship with God. Titled "Grace Reigns Because God Is Love," the episode navigates the intricate balance between God’s unconditional love and His abundant grace, challenging listeners to reevaluate their perceptions and embrace a more expansive view of divine benevolence.
Understanding Grace: Beyond the Basics
The episode kicks off with a reflective question: "Is our understanding of grace too small?" (00:03). This inquiry sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of grace, prompting both hosts and listeners to consider its true depth and significance.
Scott Boyd emphasizes the necessity of a correct perception of God to fully grasp grace:
"Sometimes, Scott, as you know, I get accused of being the master of the obvious. But, as we think about grace, it's really important that we imagine together what is our view of God? Because if we don't have the right view of God, we'll never understand grace." (00:34)
The Essence of God: Love and Grace Intertwined
Central to the discussion is the foundational belief that "God is love" (01:13). Bill Thrall builds on this by highlighting God’s gracious nature:
"God is love. Often in the psalms, we're reminded that God is gracious. Gracious means to be full of grace." (01:28)
The hosts challenge the notion that grace is contingent upon our actions or worthiness. Scott poses a transformative idea:
"What if we learned that we don't have to do something to be loved? And, maybe for some of us, even more important, we don't have to work on our stuff to have a relationship with God." (02:46)
Overcoming Shame Through Grace
A significant portion of the conversation addresses the pervasive impact of shame and how grace can counteract it. Bill shares a personal reflection sparked by an overheard song:
"I don't pray as much as I used to because I don't think I deserve his time... God, come near, but don't get too close. I'm not worthy." (04:51)
Scott underscores the hindrance that shame poses to understanding grace:
"Our view of God may hinder the purpose of God in loving us. We want to hinder the purpose of a God full of grace in dealing with our stuff." (08:09)
God’s Commitment: Source of Hope
The dialogue shifts to the unwavering commitment of God, which serves as a beacon of hope for believers. Scott cites First Peter 1:5 to reinforce this commitment:
"Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you. Set your hope fully." (10:55)
He elaborates on how God’s promise to "never leave you or forsake you" (12:34) provides profound assurance, especially for those who have experienced abandonment or neglect in their lives.
The Language of Shame
The hosts introduce the concept of the "language of shame," a series of negative self-perceptions that many struggle with. Scott lists several common expressions:
"I'm not enough. I'll never be enough. I don't matter. You don't care about me... I don't like me. And I don't want you to like me either." (17:52)
They explore how embracing grace can dismantle these destructive beliefs, fostering a healthier self-view rooted in God’s unwavering love.
The Breadth of Grace: Expansive and All-Encompassing
Anticipating future discussions, Scott outlines the "breadth of grace," a concept that encompasses grace’s role in various aspects of life:
- "Grace began within the Trinity itself without sin." (20:26)
- "Grace is the basis for my maturing as a saint." (21:06)
- "Grace is the key to all of my relationships of love." (21:12)
- "Grace is the foundation for my community of faith." (21:20)
- "Grace is the source of my destiny." (21:28)
Bill humorously corrects the terminology, preferring "the expansiveness of grace" over "breadth," highlighting its vast and inclusive nature:
"It's a huge word and it has huge implications on our influence on our lives." (21:59)
Conclusion: Embracing an Expansive Grace
As the episode wraps up, Bill and Scott invite listeners to join them on an ongoing journey to explore the depths of grace. They encourage engagement and sharing, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding and embracing God’s expansive grace.
Scott closes with an uplifting affirmation:
"Join us in this journey. May we, together, experience the expanse of grace." (22:22)
Key Takeaways
- Grace Defined by God’s Nature: Understanding grace requires a proper view of God as inherently loving and gracious.
- Overcoming Shame: Embracing God’s grace can help dismantle feelings of unworthiness and shame.
- God’s Unwavering Commitment: Trusting in God’s promise to never forsake us provides profound hope and security.
- Expansive Grace: Grace is not limited to salvation but is foundational to personal growth, relationships, community, and destiny.
- Invitation to Journey: The hosts encourage listeners to actively engage in exploring and experiencing the expansive nature of grace.
Notable Quotes
- "God is love. Often in the psalms, we're reminded that God is gracious." — Scott Boyd (01:28)
- "What if we learned that we don't have to do something to be loved?" — Scott Boyd (02:46)
- "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you." — Scott Boyd (10:55)
- "I'm not enough. I'll never be enough. I don't matter." — Scott Boyd (17:52)
- "Grace is the source of my destiny." — Scott Boyd (21:28)
- "May we, together, experience the expanse of grace." — Scott Boyd (22:22)
Final Thoughts
Living Influence continues to challenge and inspire its audience by unpacking deep theological concepts with authenticity and relatability. In this episode, Bill Thrall and Scott Boyd successfully illuminate the boundless nature of God's grace, encouraging listeners to embrace a transformative understanding that can redefine their relationship with themselves, others, and the divine.