“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age.”
—Galatians 1:3-4
“GRACE AND PEACE” are two of the most precious words found in the Bible. And these two words logically flow from the Gospel, which the Apostle Paul says in Galatians 1:11-12 “is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Grace is what changes our relationship with God. Grace moves the redeemed sinner out of the spiritual sphere of darkness, death, rebellion, and curse in Adam, and into the spiritual realm of light, life, righteousness, and blessing in Jesus Christ. As we read in Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
GRACE SUMS UP everything that makes it possible to be in a saving relationship with God. And true grace and peace can only come from God since grace implies that all men are dead in trespasses and sins, and nothing can possibly make us acceptable to a holy God but His mercy, which comes only by way of grace through the cross of Jesus Christ. Grace is not a thing; it’s not a substance that can be measured or a commodity to be distributed. It is “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 13:14). In other words, grace is Jesus Himself. He is God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, goodness, righteousness, and reconciliation. Jesus Christ is “the grace of God that brings salvation which has appeared unto all men” (Titus 2:11). Christ is God’s saving grace given to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).
THE ONLY REASON any sinner is saved from the guilt, penalty, and consequences of their sin is Jesus Christ. Because God is gracious, loving, and merciful, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to take upon Himself the nature of man and “give himself for our sins.” Jesus was well pleased to obey His Father by laying down His life in order to redeem sinners and “deliver them from this present evil age.” And this Gospel is something fallen, unregenerate man stumbles over and considers foolishness. “But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).
HAVE YOU RECEIVED the grace of God? Has Christ translated you out of the spiritual sphere of darkness into the sphere of His marvelous light? If so, your words and works will be very different from the unbelieving world. They will not be perfect, but they will be different, as Jesus said in John 3:21, “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” The phrase “done in God” means by His assistance, and gracious influence, without which men can do nothing; for it is God Who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, believers will think differently and consequently will live differently since out of the heart are the issues of life. When your heart is cleansed, your life will follow suit. Jesus said when the inside of the cup and dish is clean then the outside will become clean also (Matt. 23:26). So, I say it once again, has the grace of God transformed your soul? If so, praise God today for His wondrous grace in Christ Jesus! If not, run to Jesus, for He is mighty to save all who come to Him by faith.
Tuesday Encouragement: August 6, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry