Amazing Grace
At the heart of the gospel is grace. Grace beautifully describes the event that is the most significant event since the world began. At Calvary, Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins that he did not commit, our sins. Furthermore, he gave us his own righteousness instead of our own. The prophet Isaiah said “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). That is grace.
This event has changed my whole life. Yet I must confess that I have much to learn about grace. It is a nebulous concept, intangible, almost mysterious. I tend to understand things in a black and white way, and I have difficulty in seeing things outside the box as it were. I am short on original ideas and borrow the ideas of others. That said, I know that the Holy Spirit is in me, and the word of God is my sole rule of faith and practice.
With the help of Sinclair Ferguson, I have come to the realisation that Jesus Christ is grace in his own personal self. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is grace. I do not have to attempt my own definition, or any list of thoughts, words, and actions which constitute grace.
God in three persons were at the Cross. The Lord (Jesus) identified with the Spirit, “Now the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:17), not with respect to personality, but as to manner of working. The Holy Spirit came to take the place of Jesus to carry on His work on earth. Through the holy scriptures which He breathed out (2 Tim 3:16) we have an excellent summary of grace. Grace is all of these things, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23), commonly called the fruit of the Spirit.
The man, Jesus, perfectly displayed all these fruits in his life here on earth. My reading of the scriptures has been too shallow, and I have not paid attention to the way Jesus related to people—all kinds of people. Unless he was justly angry, he always acted graciously. The fruits of the Spirit were evident every time he interacted with people. He is grace and he epitomises grace. To be a follower of Jesus, look to Him, be conformed to his ways, and he will freely give you His grace. This is one of the treasured gifts he gives to those who love Him.
My contact with Sinclair Ferguson was in hospital recently via earphones. I had a roommate so I chose to turn off the TV. All my spare time was spent in reading and listening to the exposition of God’s word. My “enforced” stay has been a real blessing to me. I actually wrote this article in hospital. I don’t doubt John Bunyan would have the same testimony in relation to the time he wrote his classic work “Pilgrim’s Progress” in prison, which has been a blessing to countless millions through the ages.
There is another side to my stay in hospital. Spurgeon said “Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces… real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials” (Morning and Evening, p.98).
The gospel, the good news, is all of grace.
With love in Christ,
Rob
P.S. Thank you to the many folk who have been praying for me as I undergo cancer treatment. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.
