Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 16, 2012

“Grace, Grace, God’s Grace”
“She’ll (wisdom) garland your life with grace…” – Proverbs 4:9 (NIV)

In chapter one, we read these words: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They (our parent's teaching) will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." – 1:8, 9 (NIV),br />
Allow me to add the following:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9)

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Romans 3:28)

“The test of the Gospel is grace. If the message excludes grace, or mingles law with grace as the means either of justification or sanctification…it is a ‘different’ gospel, and the preacher of it is under the anathema of God.” (Scofield’s Notes—Galatians)

Paul’s writings are filled with the word, “grace.” The book of Galatians especially. The Apostle was dealing with divisions within the church based on positions that polarized the thinking of the members of the church—those who held to the Law as the means of salvation, and those who held to Grace as the means of salvation. Some Jewish converts to Christianity held that obedience to the Old Testament Law (works righteousness) was equal in importance to belief in Jesus Christ. Paul insisted that “the power of God for salvation” is given to those who believe (Romans 1:16), and that justification comes by faith “apart from works of the Law.” (Emphases mine)

I really like these words from John Wesley:
“The grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is free in all, and free for all. It is free in all to whom it is given. It does not depend on any power or merit in man; no, not in any degree, neither in whole, nor in part. It does not in anywise depend either on the good works or righteousness of the receiver; not on anything he has done, or anything he is.”

Could it be any clearer? God has a gift for you. It is the most valuable gift in the world. You cannot buy it, even if you have wealth beyond measure. It is free to you. God has already paid for it in full. You cannot earn it. You don’t deserve it, but God wants you to have it. It does not depend on anything you are, anything you have, or anything you do. In fact, even if you decide you don’t want to accept the gift, God still offers it to you. If you choose to accept it, you will have all of it you will ever need. And it will help you excel in everything good you do for others.
How great is this gift? Consider these words from songwriter Julia H. Johnson, written in 1910:
“Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe….”
I typically do not pay a great deal of attention to what secular entertainers say unless it happens to be in regard to spiritual matters. Most entertainers are self-absorbed, and lack any true insight when it comes to matters pertaining to Christ. But every now and then one will surprise you. Such is the case with the singer Bono from the Irish Rock Band, U2. U2 released an album in the 1980's called, "The Joshua Tree." Most of if not all of the songs on that album were deeply spiritual in nature and although none mentioned the name "God," or "Christ," many of the lyrics carried some very deep spiritual overtones. One of the songs is called "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for." One line in the songs says this: You broke the bonds, and you loosed the chains. Carried the cross, Of my shame, Oh my shame, You know I believe it...
Right after the album was released, Bono was asked not only about the song or the album but what he considered to be the one thing that meant the most to him in life. He said without hesitation, "The concept of grace. No matter how bad I screw things up I know His grace will clear them up." Good answer!!
No wonder Solomon said it would beautify our lives. No wonder it is called Amazing!
Pastor J. T. Carnell