One of the great tragedies of the church in our day is the fear so many have of grace. They fear what might happen if people really knew they were completely forgiven, loved and part of heaven even now. That security, for some, is just too good to be true. There must be a trick up God's sleeve somewhere. He can't really mean that we already have everything and can never lose it. There must be something we have to do, some work, some duty that will let us make our relationship and eternity sure, but there isn't....it's absolutely and totally free, available by faith alone and will last forever!
But grace is even more extreme than you think it is. It's outrageous and foolish from man's viewpoint. In his love God provided for all of mankind a free gift of forgiveness, redemption, salvation, security, eternity with him, and peace now...if they would simply accept his gift by faith.
You have to know I haven't gotten to the extreme part yet. Here it is, are you ready? God has made it possible for us to be his sons, his daughters! Imagine, a son of God. That is so crazy I can't even understand what that looks like! But there's more....he's also given each of his children HIS Spirit to dwell in them, lead them, help them, and be with them....are you ready....forever. When the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, takes up residence in us he promises to never leave. We are men and women indwelt by the God who made us for all eternity!
More? Ok, here we go...there is nothing you can do, good or bad...ever, to lose what he has given you. You cannot lose his gifts to you if you have received them. They are yours by faith alone and eternally yours....you can never be lost. An eternal, indwelt by the Spirit of God, child of God. More? We are destined to live with God and be part of his eternal kingdom. Priests and Kings he calls us. Children of God he describes us. The names and provisions would fill pages, more than I have room to speak of here, but his grace extended to us is extreme at the far end of the scale.
The work of God in grace could fill volumes! It's not just a "saving grace", although it is that, it's an extreme grace that completely changes everything about our lives here and our eternity ahead.
But sadly many have made this wonderful grace a small thing. They fear what believers might do if they knew. The tragedy is that if they knew they would fall more deeply in love with God and lean in closer to know him better. Let's talk about this extreme grace to those we know and celebrate the amazing love of God in his provision for us. It is a wonderfully glorious magnificent extreme grace!
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