The Riches of God’s Grace in Christ [podcast]

The claims of the Father’s justification to redeem mankind could only and exclusively have been satisfied in the perfect sacrifice of His only begotten Son. On the sole basis of the perfection of the LORD Jesus, the Lamb of God, lies our redemption.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

Until the reality of how sinful, how hopeless, how depraved, and how alienated we are begins to set in, we cannot begin to see “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” for what it truly is. The LORD instructed us to “forget not ALL his benefits”, right? (Psalms 103:2) We do well to ask the LORD in prayer for the revelation of our own utter depravity and the exceeding height of His holiness and mercy. Here’s a passage that never ceases to make this undeserving disciple marvel:

When measuring ourselves against His holiness, when the infinitely stark contrast begins to set in, deep contrition should accompany such a revelation which God Himself much grant to us. We should pray for such – a deeper revelation of this reality as well as a greater depth of brokenness in our innermost being. Without this revelation, we are unable to begin to appreciate the grand blessings of the redemption of Christ. Jesus says to “Ask, and ye shall receive.” (Matthew 7:7)

“It is then, we say, in the successive stages of his experience, that the believer sees more distinctly, and adores more profoundly, and grasps more firmly, the finished righteousness of Christ. And what is the school in which he learns his nothingness, his poverty, his utter destitution? The school of deep and sanctified affliction. In no other school is it learned, and under no other teacher but God. Here his high thoughts are brought low, and the Lord alone is exalted.” Octavius Winslow

We are the “Wretched”

Of himself, the apostle Paul said there is nothing good in himself except Christ!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O WRETCHed man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

It really is true that Jesus “saved a wretch like me” when He mercifully saved me.

Defusing the iniquity of self-reliance and self-righteousness should be near the top of our prayer lists – perpetually. Here’s a passage that has for many years helped this pauper.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

With these precious nuggets of divine truth in mind, drink this Ephesians 2 passage for all it’s worth beloved of God…

Ephesians 2:1-10

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10 

Though it would be impossible for the finite to fully comprehend the infinite, the mortal to understand the divine, we must desire and marvel to see and dare ask for His revelation of His unfathomable gift of Christ and all the benefits thereof!

The cross reveals your depravity and sin, and God’s love, not how wonderful you are! Repent! 

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