When Adam and Eve sinned back in the garden of Eden they severed their special relationship with God and died spiritually. Sadly, physical death would have to follow since they no longer had access to the Tree of Life. And since God created mankind to have a relationship with Himself, He was now faced with the following dilemma: How can an infinitely holy God have a relationship with a people riddled with sin.
Fortunately for us God had a solution to this dilemma and it’s called grace. I love how Pastor John Piper states this dilemma and its implied solution – Jesus Christ. For he shares: “The wisdom of God devised a way for the love of God to deliver sinners from the wrath of God while not compromising the righteousness of God.”1
Thankfully while God’s judgement requires payment for sin, His love offers pardon – and grace is the vehicle that bridges this impossible dilemma for us. Impossible, because we can never pay the price for our sin, but God paid it for us when Jesus went to the cross as our sin substitute. Grace is such an amazing concept. It basically says God imputes Christ’s righteousness to us and take our sins upon His body in return. All we have to do is believe that Christ is the son of God and accept His free pardon for our sins. This wonderful transaction is free for us but it cost Christ His life at Calvary. For we read in (Ephesians 1:7): “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
The acronym for grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. And oh, what riches! A restored relationship with the Creator of the universe, the chance to experience lasting peace and joy, and the amazing gift of eternal life. But God’s grace didn’t come cheap. It required the death of His own son, Jesus Christ!
My friends God’s awesome mercy is always available to us through His son Jesus. Why not take a few minutes right now to praise and thank Him for His amazing grace!
1 John Piper quote: The wisdom of God devised a way for the love… (azquotes.com)
Thanks Curt for the thoughts.