Receive His Grace!

When Clara Barton was engaged in Red Cross work in Cuba, during the Spanish-American War, Col. Theodore Roosevelt came to her desiring to buy some delicacies for the sick and wounded men under his command. His request was refused. Roosevelt was troubled; he loved his men, and was ready to pay for the supplies out of his own pocket. "How can I get these things?" he asked. "I must have proper food for my sick men." "Just ask for them, Colonel," said the surgeon in charge of the Red Cross headquarters. "Oh," said the Colonel, "then I do ask for them." And he got them at once; but you notice that he got them through grace, and not through purchase.
-Onward

The Way of Christ is first and foremost the way to God. Jesus claimed to be the only way to God (John 14:6). He is the way for Jew and Gentile to have access to God (Ephesians 2:18). To appreciate why this true, we must understand the gospel of Christ. In other words, we must understand the good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ, and what Paul calls "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Grace is defined as goodwill, lovingkindness, unmerited favor. As we examine the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we should consider some things first.

We should seriously consider the need for grace. Why? Because we all are sinners. The Bible tells us that:

1. All sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23);
2. Even one sin condemns (James 2:10).
3. Even good men need saving (Acts 10:1-2; 11:14)

Therefore, do not think that our good works can save us!

With that being said, what are the consequences of sin? Again, we turn to the Bible which plainly tells us that:

1. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23);
2. Spiritual death involves separation from God (Isaiah 59:2);
3. Left in such a state, eternal separation is the result (Revelation 21:8)

Clearly, the consequences of sin are grave, both now and hereafter!

The point is clear, we all need the grace of God. But praise be to God, in Christ Jesus there is the provision of grace! We are given this because of His love for us. Scripture tells us that God sent His only begotten Son (Jonn 3:16) to us. And that God offered Jesus as the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins (1 John 4:9-10). So you see, God truly does love us!

In addition, because of His justice God offered Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb for our sins (John 1:29), and God gave Jesus as the redemption for our sins (Romans 3:24-26). God has done what is necessary to forgive sinners while still being just. He did all of this for us even though you and I do not deserve it. That is how much He loves us.

Demonstrating that He is both a God of love and a God of justice, God has provided mankind the grace we need! But that grace is not unconditional (otherwise all would be saved), it must be received. So, how do we receive His grace? It may be obtained a couple of ways.

First, we can receive grace by obeying the gospel. For Jesus is the author of salvation for those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9), and considered the end of those who do not (1 Peter 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). To obey the gospel, we must respond to God's grace by:

a. Believing in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; 20:30-31);
b. Confessing one's faith in the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9-10; Mt 10:32-33);
c. Repenting of our sins (Luke 24:46-47; 3:19; 17:30-31);
d. Being baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-38; 22:16)

However, keep in mind that such obedience (baptism) does not earn or merit our salvation! Okay, if this is the case, then what is the point of being baptized?

a. Baptism involves the mercy and grace of God (Titus 3:4-7)
b. Baptism unites one with Christ in His death (Romans 6:3-8)
c. Baptism is God working on you (Colossians 2:11-13)
d. Baptism is an appeal for a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21)
e. Baptism is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27)

By obeying the gospel of Christ, we receive the initial benefits of God's grace: the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life.

Secondly, To continue receiving grace, we must live the gospel. The gift of eternal life is received at the end (Romans 6:22-23; Matthew 25:46). It is possible to become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12-14). So we must remain faithful to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10; Jude 1:21). To live the gospel, we must grow in grace and knowledge. Grace is multiplied in the knowledge of God and Jesus (2 Peter 1:2-4). Growing in knowledge involves adding Christ-like qualities (2 Peter 1:5-11). Otherwise we might fall from our steadfastness (2 Peter 3:17-18). Only by following the way of Christ in faith and obedience will we continue to experience the grace of God both now and hereafter!

In conclusion, the way of Christ is the only way to God because God Himself sent His Son to deal with the problem of sin. Only by sacrificing His Son does God demonstrate both His love and His justice. Rejecting the gospel of Christ rejects both the Father and His Son (cf. 2 John 1:9).

The way of Christ does not stop with obeying the gospel of grace; it continues:

a. By living the gospel, that is, doing what Jesus taught His apostles (Mathew 28:19-20);
b. By growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18);
c. By remaining faithful to Jesus even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10).

I will leave you with this final question, "Have you responded to the gospel of the grace of God?"

Prayer:

Merciful Lord, you are never weary of speaking to my poor heart. Grant me grace that, if today I hear your voice, my heart may not be hardened. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Randi