For
the law brings wrath, but where there
is
no law there is no transgression. That is
why
it depends on faith, in order that the
promise
may rest on grace and be
guaranteed
to all his offspring—not only
to
the adherent of the law but also to the
one
who shares the faith of Abraham…
Romans 4:15-16
John Stott says, “Faith’s only function is
to receive what grace offers.” C.S. Lewis wrote, “A man whose hands are full of
parcels can’t receive a gift.”
Romans 4:16 tells us that God’s promise is a pure gift. Anyone who has faith to
believe may receive the gift of God’s grace.
Many might ask, “Is it possible to receive
God’s gift of grace without strict adherence to God’s law?” Others believe that
if one commandment of God is broken, redemption may not be possible. Some believe
that there is evil beyond God’s grace to forgive.
There are those that I
might like to exclude from God’s gift of grace. The abominable leader that
commits atrocities against his own citizenry, the one who takes from a child
their innocence and purity or those who stand defiantly cursing God—any of them
might find their names on my list of unworthy of God’s grace.
But God peered through the ages, saw every
sin, and He extended His gift of grace to all. Revelation 22:17 is a beautiful
portrait of God’s outstretched hand of grace, “And the Spirit and the bride
say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.”
“Come, everyone who thirsts…” (Isaiah
55:1) It is a matter of life and death—a universal invitation to receive the
gift of life offered by Almighty God. It is impossible for any man or woman to
walk a lifetime without breaking God’s law. But without God’s law we would have
no knowledge of our transgressions. The law was given by God to make us aware
of our need for His grace. Christ came to be a visible extension of God’s grace
to mankind.
Creation, the Cross of Christ, the empty
tomb all cry out to fallen man—He is alive, He is real, He is calling your
name. Please, open your heart and receive the gift.
©JP
2013
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