Grace - God Saves Helpless Sinners - Michael J. S. Austin, Ph.D.
This short article deals with the greatest of all subjects; that people do not merely need more possessions and positive relationships, wonderful families, impressive connections, or less anxiety and better health, a career with fine prospects, a sparkling personality, a high I.Q, stunning looks and matching self-esteem. As good and desirable, or as frustratingly elusive as these may appear - ultimately above and beyond all else, we need God. Let me explain why.
1. AN ANSWER FOR UNCERTAINTY
First, when I refer to 'God', I am being specific and talking about the personal living God, who has disclosed himself in creation, in the 66 books of Scripture and supremely in his eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the big themes contemporary men and women struggle with is trying to figure out if they and the world we live in is normal, tragically abnormal, progressively evolving or a futile and empty absurdity. The first three of these options need some sort of objective reference against which the verdict or evaluation is to be confirmed, while the last one rejects any such ultimate reference point altogether. How do we choose between them?
This is where the Bible is such an enormous help in breaking through the uncertainty - we are abnormal. No, hold on, I'm not defaming or maligning you as an individual at all, because now I also know that all the shocking trouble around us and in us has an objective root and origin; the Genesis rebellion of our first parents against God. At that point in time they fell into true moral guilt, which has passed to all their descendants.
2. FAILED AND REJECTED
Make no mistake; this was a tragedy of monumental proportions. For now, to be held up against God's perfect moral standard and for us all to have fallen so far short is a serious condition. Listen to how this is described: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God... their throat is an open grave... Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood... the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes' (Romans part of 3:11-18).
We are like substandard product that failed the inspection test. We are like reject material, flawed and unsuitable for a high-end specification use. This presents us with a serious dilemma. How can we ever restore our condition to its original high standard? However can rejects become fully acceptable and useful again for their original purpose? They have no such ability themselves, even though as persons and (not mere inanimate product), we are still morally accountable to God for perfect obedience that is his by right.
3. AMAZING WAY OF RECOVERY
In a few words, my title says it all - a wonderful way, wholly undeserved has been revealed in which God renews, restores, and reconciles to himself lost and helpless sinners. He adopts them into his family as his much-loved children, and then accepts their freely offered service as their transformed lives bring glory to him. This is amazing, but how God does this is even more amazing.
God loved so much he sent the wonderfully perfect Son of his love, Jesus Christ to be born into our humanity in order to live a life of complete obedience to his Father; an obedience that climaxed in Jesus' giving himself into death on the cross to endure the divine judgement our sins deserved - that is grace! Three days later, he was vindicated and raised in triumph as the ever-living Lord and Saviour, the one mediator between our fallenness and God's perfect holiness. Now he will welcome and freely forgive (his suffering sin's penalty on behalf of others secured a just basis for this) all who turn to him in simple faith. He grants new life, renewing by his gracious Spirit all his children, who being born from God are raised spiritually to have fellowship with God and to know God their supreme pleasure and delight! What a wonder!
Let this challenge your value system and transform your life: 'But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he has loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together in Christ - by grace you have been saved' (Ephesians 2:4-5). As I said, God in Christ is mighty to save, to rescue by a wholly undeserved great salvation, all who come to the Father through him. God saves helpless sinners. Call upon him now to save you too.
SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
Michael J. S. Austin, Ph.D. Hello, my big goal is to show that biblical Christianity appeals to careful thinking, and is powerfully relevant today. So, I aim to share the good news of Christ crucified, risen and ascended - a Saviour who is worthy of your full confidence. And I write to help you find faith or to strengthen your faith, so that you may be SURE. I share Evangelical and Reformed convictions and have a Ph.D. from Reformation International Theological Seminary for work on the validity of reason. Use this link to my very latest Amazon Kindle e-book 'FOR SURE! - Assurance and Evangelicalism' http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AG0WK84 Or take a look at this challenging e-book: 'I saw Him die - viewing Jesus' death TODAY' Please use this link: http://www.amazon.com/saw-Him-die-Viewing-ebook/dp/B007TX696U/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2 Read and enjoy, and please recommend to others - Thank you! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._S._Austin,_Ph.D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7484602