APPRECIATING GOD'S GRACE

No one can argue with such a plain statement of truth: "... for by grace have ye been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works that no man should glory" (Ephesians 2: 8).

As in the case of many simple truths of God's word, as much as we articulate it, we just do not internalize it -- we just do not apply it to ourselves.

Do you believe that you have committed sin worthy of the eternity of hell described in vivid detail in the bible? (See Mt. 5: 22, 29; 10: 28; Mk. 9: 48; Lk. 16: 19-31; Rev. 20: 14-15.)

Most of us are like the people who approached Jesus in Luke 13:1-3. They could see how others might be condemned to an eternal hell, but they could not see the application to themselves.

Adam and Eve could not see how such a little thing as eating the forbidden fruit could cause so much trouble. We can see the problems they caused; but can we see what our sin does?

Can we see how just a little murmuring can tear a church apart and disable the Lord's work in an area for generations to come (Prov. 6:19)?

Can we see how one small act of fornication can alter the very nature of our own bodies (1 Cor. 6: 18)?

Can we see how one act of adultery can cause heartache and destruction to the ones that we love and care for the most?

Can we see how one word of gossip can injure the very soul that we are commanded to love?

Can we see how one act of pride can alienate everyone against the truth that we might so accurately stand for?

Can we see how one act of dishonor to our parents can shorten our lives (Eph. 6: 1-2).

Are we so clever to contrive of a sin that has no consequences? Sin would not be sin if it were not totally deadly and totally destructive. Since we have all sinned (Rom 3: 23), we are all justifiably worthy of eternal hell.

Let us be like Paul when he faced this reality (Rom. 7:23-24): "Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind indeed serve the law of God: but with the flesh, the law of sin."

It is the humility that comes in the recognition of our dependence upon God's grace that enables us to understand the full consequences of our sins, and this motivates us to rid our lives of it.