And The Grace Of God Appeared
- Pastor Michael Heil
- Dec 29, 2017
- 3 min read
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people." -Titus 2:11
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.') For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." -John 1:14-17
Here it states this grace in Christ has appeared (manifest) to all men. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus was not done in secret, or in a mystical way only the spiritually astute could perceive; no, He lived out in the open, publicly, for thirty-three years. Kings knew Him, and the common Jews knew Him, even the Roman authorities knew Him. The result of the grace Jesus brought to you and me is salvation to "all men."
The universality of the cross covers every person who ever lived or ever will live. The blood of Jesus has been sprinkled on the heavenly alter once and for all. The work of salvation is complete in Christ; but each person must receive Christ by faith. Each person must admit to themselves the blood of Jesus was necessary because their sins deserved death, and each person must, by faith, lay down their life and invite Jesus to be Lord and Savior.
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. -John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." -Romans 10:9
And, once that is done, the ledger is canceled; the debt is paid, and the Spirit of God comes within us. What a glorious day!
Pastor Michael Heil
Hungry Hearts Bible Study Leader
INSIGHT: When we look at Christ, a decision has to be made. One can walk away from Christ, and that is the same as rejecting Christ and all that He has done for us. On the other hand, if one looks to Christ, accepting Him and all He has done, that one has accepted the very means of salvation provided by God Himself, the ONLY way of having salvation. Through the shedding of the blood of Christ, we have received forgiveness of sin. The Grace of God has been poured out, and because of the Grace of God being given to us freely by God because Christ paid the price for us, grace cannot be bought with monetary means or by anything we do. Are you trying to gain favor with God by doing good works? Are you trying to earn your way to Heaven on your own effort? Without Christ, there is no salvation. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father except through Him.
MEDITATE: "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." -Hebrews 9:22 "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." -Ephesians 2:8-9
God blesses those who realize their need for Him, that realize they cannot live without His grace and mercy. In Christ and because of His work, we have found favor in the sight of God, have received forgiveness for our sins, and have been saved. Thank God for the gift of grace and salvation given to us through Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being unchanging. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You for giving me Your grace, and salvation and forgiveness provided through Jesus Christ and His Finished Work on the cross. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every morning and for Your unfailing compassion. Forgive me for the so many times I have tried to make it on my own strength and in my own effort. Wash me clean and heal me as only You can do. Lead me along this narrow road, and help me to remember that apart from You, I can do nothing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
Executive Director
Comments