What Happens When Grace Meets The Truth Of Sin?
I just returned from a trip to visit my daughter and her family. It had been a season of great difficulty for her. She had recently lost her step mother to cancer and then she had gotten sick with chicken pox. With all that, I went to see if there was anything I could do to comfort her. I was met with such grace. It had been almost two years that I had not seen my daughter and granddaughter. We never failed to talk on the phone a lot; but, I had not wanted to be “in the way” as she cared for her step mother during the prolonged illness. The trip was filled with so much of God’s grace. My daughter got well quickly. My granddaughter was an utter delight as we did so many things together. God’s grace shown through as my granddaughter displayed her own knowledge of God through her writing and talk. What wondrous grace toward me has God displayed over the years!! Not because of anything I have ever done to deserve it. I who stumbled and fell so often along this journey. Me, the one who searched for love without realizing that God was all the love this heart needed. Had it been pride so long ago that led to my divorce from Miguel (Melissa’s father)? Yet, even after that, God’s grace had blessed me with my sons through my marriage to Pete. God’s grace had led Pete to Christ before Pete’s death. God’s grace had carried me through the cancer and all the other illnesses that followed. It has been grace that carried me every step of the way. Pure, undeserved Grace has been given me from a mighty and wondrous God.
[bctt tweet=”When Grace upon Grace meets with the truth of my sinful Heart-Grace Wins!!”]
We have been looking at the gospel account as written by the Apostle John. So far, we have seen that he presents Christ as The Word—the only Word that matters. The word of God which is also God Himself. John then presented Christ as the light of the world. The only true light that can penetrate the darkness of man’s heart. Thirdly he presented Christ as God’s Glory Displayed. All the fullness of God’s Glory could be seen in Christ. Next John writes, “16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for (upon) grace.17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1).
TRUTH AND GRACE
The law held truth only. By the truth of the law alone, I could never be saved. The law only magnifies the truth that I am a sinner with a depraved heart filled with pride, self-exaltation, lies, foolish desires, and unrighteousness. Truth without grace only condemns me. The good news is Christ is truth and grace. He is the ultimate proof of my unworthiness; yet, the flowing fountain of grace that has been poured out upon me. Even more than that, Christ is that grace upon grace that is continually being poured out on me. Grace for yesterday, grace for today and future grace that will lead me all the way home. Grace that showers an undeserving heart with love and joy unspeakable. Grace that never lets go of me.
Fountain of Grace
“This spring is inexhaustible, it is full of grace and truth from God, it never loses anything, no matter how much we draw, but remains an infinite fountain of all grace and truth; the more you draw from it, the more abundantly it gives of the water that springs into eternal life.” –Martin Luther
What happens when Grace meets the truth of my Sin?
[bctt tweet=”God’s love & grace so fills my heart that I long only to seek Him more overwhelmed by His Grace”]. The more I see His Grace displayed the more I am awed by it. I long for the day that I will no longer deal with the wretchedness of this heart of mine. As Paul wrote, “21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8). One day, I will look like Christ when I stand before Him as His Sanctified Bride—pure, clean and filled with His heart of love. Until then, I am covered by His Grace upon Grace that provides for the truth of my sin.
Do you have a story of how Grace has overwhelmed you with awe? Click here to tell your story or comment.
The song I chose for you today—Were it not for Grace by Larnelle Harris
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.