There is nothing more delightful
and at the same time comforting to the sons of God than a contemplation
of the perfections and accomplishments of their Redeemer and Lord. It
is in Him that every shred of their hope rests, and by Him
that all of their expectations in this world or that to come
are fully met. The religious world finds great
delight in pursuing and discovering their own descriptions of obedience
unto the precepts which he has taught. Ever since Cain sought
to bring an offering to the Lord of his own design, men have followed
in his footsteps, in thinking that they are able in some fashion
to contribute their own righteousness as a suitable gift to him. It
is quite common to hear religious men speak of performing acts
of obedience and service to him as a means of gaining his favor
or, at the very least, of seeking to repay a debt that they owe
unto him, as if they possessed some currency which would be
recognized in that kingdom which cannot be inherited by flesh
and blood. Yet that man who is convinced
by the Spirit of God that he is a hopeless and helpless sinner,
with not one shred of righteousness to bring before the Lord, can
find no help at all in exhortations unto obedience, which do not
find their perfect fulfillment in the obedience and work of
that one who is the Savior of sinners. He must cringe in despair
when he hears men say, Salvation is all of grace, but... And then
any number of additions are made describing this or that activity
which men must perform in order to receive it and or maintain
it. The mention of grace, which is accompanied with a but, is
no grace at all, but is rather a deal which is offered to men
wherein they can fulfill the terms and gain that which they
seek. Such an arrangement is fine for
religious men who are convinced that they're able to meet those
terms in their own power and can exercise faith by the operation
of their own free will. Yet such an offer, plan, or arrangement
can do nothing but minister fear in the heart of that man who
is convinced that he is bereft of faith or any ability to fulfill
any terms requiring true righteousness. He knows he must believe and
be obedient, but finds no power in himself to do so. What such
a helpless and hopeless sinner can find comfort and solace in
is a description in ministry of a perfect Savior who has completed
the work of salvation, having obtained eternal redemption for
all of those who are called by His grace. His consolation is
found as he reads the clear declaration of free grace, which says, Such a place as this is truly
the holy ground upon which he can live and prosper. The more
that the Spirit teaches him about himself, the more lovely do all
of the perfections of Christ appear unto him by way of contrast. And all the more vital is Paul's
declaration. There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death. Peter says that he is the God
of all grace. Grace that is not sovereignly
dispensed cannot be grace at all. But unto every one of us
is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou
that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it,
why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Peter
says that he is the God of all grace. Grace can be found nowhere
else. Men need faith but have none.
Faith is the gift of God. The only faith that is acceptable
in the sight of a holy God is perfect and unwavering. A sinful
man cannot produce that which is perfect, but he who is perfect
already has produced that which he has required. The sole basis
upon which the sons of God are seen as righteous is the imputation
of the righteousness of Christ to them. His account has become
theirs through His grace. They cannot attain it any other
way. Not only have they not merited His favor, but they have actually
warred against His goodness and despised His overtures of goodwill
towards them. They are worthy of destruction,
yet He has shown them kindness. Grace must be purely grace. There
can be no mixture of grace and works, or else grace is no longer
grace. The same God who calls the people
out of darkness provides all things necessary unto their salvation.
The gospel is a message for sinners. Are you convinced of your own
worthiness of destruction and your lack of ability to remedy
your situation? Christ is the Savior of sinners.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit. He is the God of all grace. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.