Grace Matters

Lessons from Genesis – 5

“For by grace are you saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God and not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

In Genesis chapter six we find God’s assessment of mankind, “that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” From sun up to sun down and all through the night men thought and intended evil. When God says in the psalms that “there is none righteous, no not one,” He is saying that mankind hasn’t really changed much since the days of Noah. With such an indictment against us, how then can we ever have a hope of heavenly life after death? Genesis 6:8 gives the answer, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Noah wasn’t saved because he was righteous but because God was gracious to him. We find no one in the Bible except Jesus Christ who was perfect and righteous. Therefore the condemnation of God against mankind is fully just. But wait, as the infomercial goes, there is more. God gave His Son to die for us that while we are sinners we can find forgiveness and eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God does this for us by grace. He calls us by grace, gifts us with faith by grace, washes away our sins by grace and gives us eternal life by grace. His gift of grace is sufficient for the entire world to believe it and be saved.

Dear Father, Thank You for Your abundant grace that freely saves all who believe. Amen. 

  The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

 

For quality inspirational, educational, and fictional Christian books visit www.davidccraig.net