|
In our last article about
GRACE we saw the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that ye through his poverty might be rich. How are we
rich? The riches that are ours in Christ are THE
RICHES OF HIS GRACE.
The Scripture tells us, In Him
we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace . . . that in the ages to come He
might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in
Christ Jesus . . . To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this
grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable (unfathomable)
riches of Christ. (Ephesians
1:7;
2:7;
3:8)
What are the
dimensions of the grace of God? How extensive are the resources of His
grace? So often we drastically underestimate the measure of God's supply of
grace for our lives, like a little fish thinking the ocean may not be large
enough for him.
God is rich in
grace. When He forgave our sins, He did so "according
to the riches of His grace." Think of the bountiful measure of
grace that was bestowed to remove our guilt and shame. God generously poured
out His grace in order to wash away our iniquities. When I think of my sin,
how deeply grieved I am. We are to be forgetting
those things which are behind, but upon remembrance of our sin
we should immediately move from our grief into the glorious deliverance He
has provided by His grace. We then move from grief to joy
unspeakable and full of glory.
Yet, in
delivering us by His grace He did not deplete the treasures of His grace.
In Ephesians 2:7, God speaks of the "exceeding
riches of His grace." The Lord's grace is far beyond any richness
that we have ever yet comprehended or experienced. God's storehouse of grace
is so abundantly full that He will be pouring it out upon us for the "ages
to come."
Yes, it will
take eternity for the Lord to fully demonstrate His grace toward us. This
everlasting demonstration of His grace will involve showing His kindness
toward all of us who are in Christ Jesus. Think of it the dimensions of
God's grace are sufficient for Him to make us the objects of His kindness
forever and ever!
God's grace
is like an infinitely vast ocean.
Think of the immensity of the oceans of the world. Although they are
magnificent in scope, every ocean can be searched out or fathomed. Every
ocean has a bottom that can be reached. Though vast, they are finite. Paul
testified that the Lord gave him grace to go forth and proclaim the "unsearchable
(unfathomable) riches of Christ."
There is more grace available in the heart of God for us than there is water
in all of the oceans of the world! Truly, no matter how much grace we have
already discovered in Christ, we have only begun to search out the riches of
His grace toward us. Thus, Peter admonishes us to GROW
IN GRACE
and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
So swim little fish and explore as much as possible of the ocean of THE
RICHES OF HIS GRACE.
May we never
cease to be awe struck at the vast dimensions of His grace. May we never
again be guilty of underestimating that grace. May the eyes of our hearts
be enlightened that we might know the richness of His grace. May the
immeasurable ocean of His grace be our daily supply for life in Christ.
-
Almighty God, Father
of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give You humble thanks
for all Your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom You have made.
We bless You for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for Your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the church by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of Your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth Your praise, not only
with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to Your service,
and by walking before You
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. AMEN!
|
