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God's Grace

GRACE

When the list of topics God is proclaiming through His Word is categorized, at the top would be the concept of “grace.” One of the most popular Christian hymns of the last 250 years is “Amazing Grace” – known and loved even by many that otherwise have no particular care for or about God. It is a powerful concept.

Bono, lead singer of the band U2, recently said: "The most powerful idea that's entered the world in the last few thousand years—the idea of grace—is the reason I would like to be a Christian. Though, as I said to [U2 guitarist] The Edge one day, I sometimes feel more like a fan, rather than actually in the band. I can't live up to it. But the reason I would like to is the idea of grace. It's really powerful." Bono of U2, quoted in an interview with Anthony DeCurtis, cited by www.peachingtoday.com

At another time he observed: "It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between grace and karma.” He defines karma as, “What you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that karma is at the very heart of the universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called grace to upend all that "as you reap, so you will sow" stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff ... It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity.” Michka Assayas, Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas (Riverhead Books, 2005)

Most people really believe in “karma on a curve” – like grading on a curve in school. We will get back what we have done, but as long as one is better than average, it is acceptable to God. Because of that, when asked about their acceptability to God and entrance into His Heaven, they say, “I’m a pretty good person, so He will let me in.”

The problem is that God never said that He would grade on a curve. Some people say they will get into Heaven by living the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew chapters 5-7). But in the middle of that sermon, Jesus said, “ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48). That kind of blows the curve, wouldn’t you say?

The typical response is, “That’s impossible!” I agree, except that Jesus did it! The Bible says Jesus “… was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). The contrast was brought forcefully home when Jesus challenged a group of self-righteous religious leaders, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7). No one who knows anything of God, as these men did, could argue that he or she was without sin.

If we acknowledge we are sinners, we simply agree with God who said, “… all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). The problem and the solution are summed up by this statement in the Bible: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

The idea of “gift” is the basis for the word “grace” in Greek (the language the original texts of the New Testament were written in). In other words, grace is eternal life in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This last point is crucial.

Many who say they need grace seem to have in mind something that just simply looks at sin and it’s consequences and says, “Oh, just forget it!” They assume that God will just ignore the problem of sin and ultimately not judge anyone for their sin, especially with an eternal and inescapable judgment. The strongest witness who rebuffs that idea is Jesus Christ Himself. He said, “… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). This “ransom” was provided by His death, as He foretold when He said, “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10:15). Jesus came to be both the Shepherd and the representative sheep: “The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). His death is the costly solution to the barrier of sin between us and God.

Because of its worldwide focus, some have mistakenly assumed that the death of Christ took care of the sin problem for everyone. The Bible, on the other hand, lets us know that it is only effective for those who personally respond to God’s offer of eternal life through faith in Christ: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12). A response of faith to this offer of grace is the basis for a Christian life and confidence for an eternity in Heaven: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Note the biblical sequence: we place our faith in the provision of grace and are saved, then we live a life of good works as God intended. No one ever makes up for their failure and sin by good works, but those who receive grace should become known for good works.

Here at Evergreen we preach grace. Grace that …
 - Resolves the failures and penalty of sin
 - Empowers the believer for a life of significance
 - Provides a family relationship with God as Father and other believers as brothers and sisters
 - Promises a guaranteed destiny in Heaven
 - Changes every aspect of a believer’s life

Have you received that grace personally? It is your for the asking if you will lay aside confidence in yourself and trust in the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Simply pray and acknowledge to God your sin and ask for His grace to forgive and change you because Christ died for you, becoming your Savior and your Lord.

If you have questions or have prayed that prayer because of reading this message, I would love to have a continuing conversation with you! Please write me at jrumley@evergreenonline.org or call me at 1-219-874-8713 and we can discuss anything this message brings to your mind.

My God bless you with faith in His grace,

Pastor Jon Rumley

During Bible School LaVerne Saracoff was teaching the Bible story found in Acts 9 about how apostle Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians. The Lord blinded his eyes physically so that he could see spiritually what Christ had done for him. The Lord used that story to speak to my heart that day and to show me that I needed to trust Him as my personal Savior, because I was a sinner and that because of my sin Christ died so that I could have eternal life. I will never forget that day. I thank the Lord for saving me that day and for allowing me the privilege of being a part of a church where the Word of God has been faithfully taught for all the years it has existed. I thank the lord for the pastors that we have had. I have grown under each one of their ministries. It is a joy to serve the Lord and to see how He uses different people and situations in our lives to mold us into what He wants us to be. My life’s verse is found in Psalm 16:11 . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence there is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
- Kathy

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