Category Archives: Faith

Marvelous Grace

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Volume No. 2010 Issue No. 30 Date: August 29, 2010

Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706

Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com

 
The English Reformer John Bradford is reported to have said while imprisoned in the Tower of London, watching a prisoner being led away to his execution, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Can the grace of God help you and me regardless of the size or impact of our sin? Gratefully and biblically, the answer is a resounding, YES!

 

If anyone was aware of how the grace of God impacts our past, it was John Newton, the infamous slave trader who was gloriously converted to Christ. We know the words to the hymn he wrote, ''Amazing Grace." The title says it all, doesn't it? But you may not be familiar with these words he also wrote, echoing the apostle Paul's theme in I Corinthians 15:10, "I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, 'By the grace of God I am what I am."

 

Paul had written to the church at Corinth, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Paul meant that the grace of God completely changed Saul of Tarsus from a murderous, religious militant to a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace forgave Paul for being the self-professed chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), a murderer of Christians, and gave him new opportunities as momentous as his offenses had been monstrous.

 

It is no wonder that Paul eventually wrote to the Roman church in Romans 5:20b-21, “…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” In other words, it is impossible to commit sins that are greater than God's grace. It was obviously this verse from Romans that inspired Julia H. Johnston when she wrote her hymn, "Grace Greater than All Our Sin." Some of the words are,

 

"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.
Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!"

 

The problem with moving forward in life is that the past can't be changed. Even if we know we are forgiven by God and by others, it's hard to forget when we have failed. And that's where the God of grace makes moving forward possible. In fact, the harder we try to forget our sins, the more ingrained in our memory they become. But did you know that God forgets about our sins and failures? That's why it's possible for us to move forward – to move beyond the past, because God treats us as if we had never sinned at all.

 

I want to list some ways that God's grace is manifested when it comes to the mistakes of our past. Please note the kind of language the writers of the Bible used. It was anthropomorphic language. That means they used words that implied human attributes and behavior by God. They pictured God using human characteristics to do with our sin what we are unable to do with it ourselves:

 

He removes sin far, far away from us (Psalm 103:11-12).

He blots out our sins; He covers them as with a cloud (Isaiah 44:22).
He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7: 19).

He throws our sins behind His back so they are invisible to Him (Isaiah 38:17).

He forgets our sin; He no longer remembers it (Jeremiah 31:34).

 

You see the "anthropomorphic" part now, I'm sure. God doesn't have a back, but we do. The depths of the sea are immediately present to God, but it's a long way away from us. I don't know if God can put things out of His memory, but I know I wish I could – and I'm glad God treats my sin as if it is totally forgotten. The words and images of the writers make it abundantly clear: The past is over when it comes to God's grace and forgiveness of our sin. Grace is when God gives us something we don't deserve – forgiveness, a fresh start, a clean slate, and renewed hope. But forgiveness also involves mercy – not giving us what we do deserve which would be judgment, wrath, and no more opportunity. God’s grace and mercy are indeed greater than all our sin. Remember God’s grace buries your past and opens the door to a future of hope and blessing – if you will receive His grace in your life today.
 
In His Amazing Grace,
Pastor David Miklas
PS: We do not, nor will we charge for the Weekly SERMON, however if these have been a blessing to you and you can help with the COST of this endeavor for the Lord, we appreciate and thank you for your prayers and FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Yes, at times I need to extend my hand in order to give you an opportunity to extend your hand financially to enable this ministry to continue to extend the Word of God to others. For financial accountability we are handling all ministry funds under the Green Street Baptist Chapel of Edwardsville, PA. (Mailing address: Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706) Checks made out to them and memo to Bible Baptist Ministry will be tax deductible for you and placed in the account for this ministry.

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