Amazing Grace
According to Romans 5:20 Where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more. Our worthiness is only in Christ. In our flesh we are helpless and hopeless, but in him we are made worthy by the payment he made on our behalf. Our worthiness is not in our accomplishments but only by his grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”
Spurgeon wrote in “All of Grace” that every good thing we have is only by God’s grace. God who did not with hold his only begotten son has given us life through his grace. A man of God is a man of grace and truth. Grace is unmerited divine assistance for regeneration and sanctification. All men having a fallen sinful nature, need God’s assistance for salvation. Regeneration is the new birth. It is salvation through the faith of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is to be set apart for the purpose for which the Designer designed us: that we may be holy and without blame before him in love. Grace is the good done to those who didn’t deserve it by the one who wasn’t obligated to give it. In the flesh without God, there is none good, no not one. We cannot of ourselves perfect the flesh. Our worthiness is not according to the deeds of the flesh. Rather, our worthiness is by grace alone through faith alone.
Only the love of God through the truth of the Word of God offers grace. None of the other religions of the world are based on grace. Only the Truth of God through Jesus Christ offers grace unconditionally because of the great love whereby he loved us. Grace, though illogical according to the flesh, is unmerited divine favor. In Matthew 16:25, Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Grace, therefore, is a foreign concept to the unsaved mind. Grace can be understood and received only by living in proximity to Jesus Christ through the Word of God. Spending time in his presence is the only way to understand grace. The world is not impressed by lavish buildings and great oratory. The world is only impressed by God’s amazing grace. However, those who do not believe think that men of God have ulterior motives, that they take advantage of others. They want the blessings but will not and cannot acknowledge the Blessor.
Grace is unconditional. It is not according to our deserving it. Jesus washed the feet of all twelve disciples including Judas, the one who would betray him. Jesus offered grace, not because they were deserving, but because they were undeserving and in need.
The story of Les Miserables is the story of grace. Jean Valjean had suffered miserably in this life, having been wrongly accused and condemned. In his rage and affliction, he stole precious candelabras from the church. When confronted by the Priest, the priest said, “but you forgot these other two candelabras.” He was saved by grace illustrated by the priest’s gracious gift. Having received grace Jean Valjean was now free to give grace.
Grace demands nothing in return. Grace is the pure act of giving according to the love wherewith he loved us. The worth that we find through Jesus Christ is only by his grace.
At a eulogy for a poor woman, many were astonished that hundreds attended her funeral. Her son stood up and said, “My mother taught me that it’s better to be loving than to be right. She was a good steward of the grace of God.” People are attracted by grace. Grace says, “”Father forgive them, for they know not what they’re doing.” If you’re going to err, then err on the side of grace rather than judgement. The story of the prodigal son is the story of the gracious and forgiving father. He did not recompense evil for evil. Rather, he said, “Let us eat and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Gracious acts look foolish in the eyes of the world. However, we who were unworthy were made worthy by his grace. He who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf, that we who were dead in trespasses and sins may be made the righteousness of God in him. The grace of God triumphs over judgement when we accept his grace alone by faith alone unto salvation through his son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
May God richly bless you.
Your brother in Christ,
Michael