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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A God of Grace

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Charles Stanley

John 1:14-18

Imagine receiving a big beautifully wrapped gift when there’s no particular occasion—the sender simply chose to do this for you. Inside the package is something very special. Eagerly, you read the card to discover who could have been so generous. To your amazement, you learn that the giver is someone you have been avoiding—and to whom you have been unkind! What do you do?

This scenario is a picture of the Father’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to earth for us. There was no special occasion; God simply had the desire to do it. The present arrived, despite the fact that we were either passively ignoring the Lord or actively rebelling against Him. This is grace—God’s goodness and kindness extended to those who do not deserve it and have no possible way to earn it.

In the Son, we see the fullness of God’s kindness revealed. Jesus fully met all the requirements of divine law by living a perfect life on earth; because of His sinless life as a man, He was qualified to pay the price for our rebellious ways. He did this by sacrificing His life on the cross to pay for all our sins—past, present, and future. So, when we receive Him as our Savior, God counts Jesus’ death as payment for all we have done wrong. What’s more, upon our salvation, Christ’s perfect life is counted as our own; His righteousness becomes ours through faith (Rom. 4:5).

What will you do with God’s gift of grace—refuse it, or say “thank You” and make an effort to get to know Him? And if you already do know Christ, have you been taking Him for granted?

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Treasure in Clay Pots

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In 1947, a Bedouin goatherd found earthen jars in the back of the caves of Khirbet Qumran. He imagined treasure, but he was disappointed to find only scrolls of papyrus. Little did he know that the Dead Sea Scrolls were, indeed, a treasure.

As grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving. II Corinthians 4:15

God has a different values system than humans have. He picks common things of the earth to reveal His glory (I Corinthians 1:27). The greatest treasure He gave to the world was wrapped in the form of a little baby born in a stable and who slept in a trough. And when Jesus grew up He said it was better for Him to leave so the Father could send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). By grace, God enables earthen vessels (II Corinthians 4:7) to house the precious Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16) and do His will (I Corinthians 15:10).

Learn to value the eternal. Rejoice and be thankful when you hear of one repenting as Heaven, too, rejoices (Luke 15:7). Pray for revival in this nation – that the Father will remove the blinders from eyes (II Corinthians 4:4) so Americans and their leaders may see the true treasure of eternal life in Christ.

Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

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Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Place of Privilege

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“For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be” (Romans 5:2).

Interesting, is it not, that because of our faith, which is really His faith imparted to us, He has brought us, you and me, to a place of highest privilege.

What are some of the benefits that constitute this highest privilege?

First, we are justified – considered righteous in God’s sight.

Second, we are admitted into His favor and we abide there.

Third, we have the hope and prospect of even higher and richer blessings, in the fullness of His glory, when we are admitted into heaven.

Strange, then, that you and I often chafe at the bit when things become a little rough. At such time as that, I need to remind myself that I do not deserve any better. All the mercies and blessings of God are undeserved – gifts of God’s grace (“God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense,” as the apt acrostic expresses it).

What, really, is the “bottom line” of everything that happens to the believer – to you and me? After confessing that we are receiving our just deserts, we must always go back to the all-inclusive promise: “All things are working together for our good.” They may not feel good, they may not seem good, they may not even be good, but they are accomplishing good in us.

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3:8-12

TODAY’S ACTION POINT:  I will meditate on the rare and high privilege that is mine as a child of God and look forward to becoming all that God wants me to be.