Thought for the Month - April 2001

GOD'S RICHES AT CHRIST'S EXPENSE (GRACE) - By Barry Adair

I always think of the above phrase when I hear the word GRACE being mentioned. While GRACE is a word we humans can use and hopefully put into practice sometimes, true GRACE, I feel, remains with an infinitely loving God.

The humble dictionary will translate GRACE into something like this - "un-merited favour".

Now when it comes to the acceptance of sinful human beings by an infinitely holy God, that's not a bad definition of GRACE - God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Nehemiah 9:31 reminds us that our God is "a gracious and merciful God" and it is that GRACE that we want to focus on a little this month.

As believers, in John 1:16 we are told that "And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace".

For me, it is those world famous words in John 3:16 that bring us face to face with true GRACE and face to face with our dying Saviour on that cruel cross:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16

If you have been saved through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, do you take time now and again to muse over exactly what you have been forgiven of? Even a few seconds' thought will confirm how great a debt we owe to our Saviour. But the main thing that we want to emphasise is that it was done at all. To redeem the likes of us through such an awesome sacrifice was truly incredible. That a thrice holy God would stoop so low to save the likes of you and me is amazing.

The next time you look at a new-born baby, remind yourself of Christ's entrance into humanity. Jesus too was once totally reliant on His mother for everything. He had laid aside all the privileges of his Sonship. He, of course, was still truly God but also truly man. How could God take on flesh and enter into a sinful world? Only because of His infinite GRACE.

I also love what is recorded in John 1:19 when John saw Jesus walking in his direction:

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world"

It again reminds me of the love of God. Isaiah, prophesies of Jesus, that he would be

"brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb".

As blood-bought believers, we are assured a home in Heaven, all because of Him.

Truly, God's Riches At Christ's Expense!

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!