“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:4-8).
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Ephesians after he had been changed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. If you’re a Christian, do you feel the same way? Are you overwhelmed by the incomparable saving grace of God? Do you bask in His goodness?
God’s grace is like an ocean. When we come to Christ for salvation, we walk into a tsunami of cleansing and forgivingness that impacts every area of our lives. This is why water baptism is such an appropriate illustration of grace. We don’t just sprinkle a little water on the head. A person is completely submerged as a relevant representation of total submission to the grace of God. You’re covered in it. You’re soaking in it. It’s dripping off of you. Like jumping into a pool on a hot day, every square inch of you is rejuvenated by the refreshing waters of God’s grace.
And this grace is not just for salvation. Grace does not end at the moment we believe — it’s just the beginning! Once we become Christians, God’s grace abounds toward us and continues forever. We’re not to just dip our toe and test the waters. God wants us to dive right in, fully comprehending that His grace is unending and everlasting! It is strength for our weakness, mercy for our sins, and wisdom for our foolishness. It’s His supernatural resource to fuel the engines of our lives.
Is it any wonder that Amazing Grace is one of the greatest hymns of all time? The grace of Jesus Christ is indeed amazing! Run to it. Be empowered and refreshed by it. Bask in it!
Steele
Posted in A Word from the Pastor