Finally, after nearly 30 years of trying to follow the LORD, I may be actually 'getting it', that is, beginning to understand God's amazing grace. Just in the nick of time too because I will be leading a Bible study about grace in January. God is a master of timing, so when I awoke at 4:14 am on Friday, December 24 with this scripture and these thoughts going through my mind, I knew the Holy Spirit was helping me prepare for the upcoming lessons by firing me up with an insight I want to share here.
As far as our sin is concerned, God is our Judge, Jury, and Defense Attorney. When we received the grace of God by faith, we received a full pardon. It is not as though we never sinned, it is rather because we sinned and its horrible punishment was exacted from God's Precious Son, Jesus Christ. I knew this in my head of course, but suddenly I felt it and grasped it with my whole being; heart, mind, and will as though it is the dearest truth I have ever believed or heard.
This tiny glimpse of understanding about grace leads me to think of the true story I heard about a master violinist who played in a huge public place. (I think it was Grand Central Station). Dressed in nondescript clothing, he played the finest music on the choicest instrument, a rare Stradivarius, with the greatest expertise, and yet only about seven, out of the thousands of people who passed him by, stopped or responded to the music. To me, God's wondrous grace is like that music: It is undeserved, it is beautiful and awesome, it is free for those who will receive it.
Will I respond to God's grace? Will you? We must give a response. It has to be our love, our humble gratitude, and our willingness to live and die for Jesus; He who came to earth for the express purpose of bringing salvation to all men through faith by way of His matchless grace. Donna
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