Paul used words like these to encourage the believers in Ephesians. Ephesians 3:16-19 "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
If we are to be grounded in the surpassing love of God for sinners we must be willing to take valuable time to consider the breadth, length, height and depth of God's love. Real progress in this arena can take place and we ought to be encouraged to be a people to not just have lip religion. Real heartfelt adoration for the stupendous love God begins when we truly seek a genuine, daily, relationship with Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:3)
So, now we come to consider the pinnacle of grace! The free offer of God's love in the gospel of Christ! How can we define the free offer of God's grace? The free offer of God's grace is that incredible love which reaches and extends to all humanity, to have there sins forgiven and washed in the precious blood of His only begotten Son! All throughout the gospel, when this theme is preached men were moved to great bliss and holy joy. The apostle Paul was willing to have his life cut short, just to preach the free offer of grace to those who have never heard of God's mercy in Christ (Rom 15:20)! And ultimately in the end Paul did die a martyr.
Let's take just a moment to meditate on a few verses which highlight this reality. One of the most famous verses every quoted is John 3:16. Yet, to get the full weight and meaning of this beautiful verse it must be followed by verses 17,18. John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18.Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
Also we read in, 1 John 4:9 "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
And lastly, 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
Many things run through our minds when we read such startling and amazing words as we have just read. We must ask ourselves, how can this be? How can God love those who nailed His Son to a tree. How can God love those who for years and most of their lives lived in rebellion and hatred toward Him! What could move such a Holy and Just Creator to humble Himself, and take the form of a servant. To be born in the likeness of men, to be found in human form, to become obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)?
Only grace!!! For God has demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet still living in gross sin and rebellion, He chose death, so we who believe might have life! The hymn writer nailed it when these words were pinned- "Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon And cleanse within. Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater Than all my sin.
Dear friends, come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Revel and marvel at the free offer of grace and may we all with all that is within us run to that great Fountain that is filled with blood!
May we sing with the hymn writer-
"There was nothing in us to merit esteem,
Or give the Creator delight.
'Twas 'Even so, Father!' we ever must sing,
Because it seem'd good in thy sight."
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