Her name might be Monica or Jacqueline. As a teenager she had so desperately wanted to be loved by someone, anyone who would really care for her. Before she realized what had happened she had become a single mother and he had vanished.
His name could be Samuel or Mark - it doesn’t really matter. Ever since he can remember he had possessed a hidden beast, a violent temper, which had caused him to slash out at the very ones he loved, destroying their sense of self-worth and dignity.
She had always wanted to do what is right. So why had she allowed herself to do this? She knew it wasn’t right. That is when she had learned for the first time just how really painful guilt can be.
Then there is that quiet one over there. Was it the habit of gossiping, a secret problem with pornography, some form of self-destructive behavior, an affair, or some other sin that had trapped and condemned him?
It’s amazing, but they are all there. And it is because that they are all standing there forgiven that the angels are singing. You’ve never heard a chorus like this before. God’s wisdom, love and grace had triumphed! The slain Lamb had purchased people for God from every tribe and nation; God had brought those who had no hope back to Himself through Jesus. They didn’t receive what they deserved. Although they all should have received His wrath, God gave them the gift of life.
As the magnitude of what has happened begins to sink in, suddenly the questions are overwhelming.
“But how could a holy and righteous God overlook the stench of sin?”The answer comes back, “He didn’t; He sacrificed His own Son in their behalf.”
“But why would He do this?”
“Because He loved them that much.”
“It doesn’t seem fair. God’s Son was sacrificed to let these who deserve death go free.”
“Praise God that it isn’t fair. But that’s what love can do.”
“But why these people and not others?”
“Humanity is not capable of being good enough to deserve life. Each one has stained his soul with sin and he does not have the ability to remove that stain. But God through His great love and grace elected to show His mercy by granting life to everyone who would trust in Jesus to make them righteous. God predetermined that He would save everyone who would depend upon His Son. This means that they are saved on the basis of grace through faith and not upon what they were able to achieve. These then are those who have walked in the way of faith.”
“You mean, as long as they trusted that Jesus could save them, grace means they could keep on sinning?”
“No. To trust in Jesus is more than just believing that he is capable of saving you. To depend on Jesus for salvation involves submitting oneself to die with him and to one’s former way of life trusting that God’s power can raise you up to a new and blameless life in Christ. Although grace can cover all sin, those who insist upon continuing in idolatry, tempting the Lord and grumbling can fall.”
What can I say but, “I am unworthy of such a wonderful gift.”
A Few Related Texts That Undergird the Above Conversation:
John 3:13-16; Romans 5:1-11; 6:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:3-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 2:12; 3:1f.; Revelation 5:6-14
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998
Other Articles of Interest Might Include:
God is Fair ... Good News, Bad News & Great News
Is Sincerity Enough? (Title: "But I Thought It Was OK")
Grace Dictates Boundaries. It Does Not Empower Freedom of Self
What About the Thief on the Cross?