One of the most popular Christian hymns in the world is Jonathan Newton’s Amazing Grace. The word “Grace” simply means “unmerited favor.”
Grace is beautifully and flawlessly displayed in the cross of Jesus Christ. Grace is a step beyond mercy. Remember that mercy is withholding a penalty that we justly deserve, and of course, we love mercy. However, grace is not only withholding a penalty that we rightly deserve, but grace is also giving us something that we have not earned. As Christians we already know this however, in our flesh we have a sinful tendency to take God's grace for granted or presume upon His grace.
It can be spiritually healthy for us to be reminded that without Christ, we are all sinners and the Bible says that we deserve punishment for our sin. Grace only becomes "amazing" to us when we realize the sinners that we are. It becomes "amazing" to us when we say with the Apostle Paul, "Oh wretched man that I am."
In Christ, God mercifully withholds the punishment that we've justly earned, and then He says, “Here’s Jesus, my only begotten Son, and He has perfectly paid your sin penalty. And, throughout your Christian experience, He will be 'a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.“ That’s amazing grace!
Dear Christian, rejoice in God’s saving and sustaining grace!
This devotion was written by Pastor James C. Johnson. These devotionals are being published throughout this pandemic in an effort to further strengthen the faith of our NorthStone church family. Feel free to comment below to offer your feedback about today's devotion.