Grace on Ourselves

It is at times the case that God is more willing to have grace on us than we are willing to have on ourselves. There is a certain type of reflection on sin which is morbid and unbiblical.

Jesus' work is sufficient. It is not an elevation of our sin to say that it might not be forgivable but a devaluation of Jesus' work.

His work is infinite in value and nothing can compare to it. We delude ourselves to place our sin in comparison to Jesus' merit.

Of course works should flow from our lives. But they are based on what God has done for us. Works flow from grace. Grace is what produces works.

On a practical level nothing is more practical to Christian living than the perfect life of Jesus and his death on the cross. It is grace which has far more real practicality than a sermon filled with suggestions on living.

Counting the Cost

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 KJV)

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33 KJV)

I always used to think it strange that Jesus suggested that a man be willing to forsake everything to follow him. Of course many Christians never are faced with the choice but you see it everywhere mentioned.

Over time I get the sense of this. You see there are two points. Jesus himself forsook everything for use. He has not asked what he has not done.

But more importantly God is infinite in worth. You see that God is worth giving everything up for.

A man who has God has everything. Maybe he has nothing now but he has everything in the sense of eternity.

Paul speaks of thinking of only one thought knowing Christ and Christ crucified. You see sometimes in the midst of thousands of things there is only one of importance.

Actually in the midst of billions of recorded events on earth there is really only one event which has ultimate significance. That event is the life of Jesus: his supernatural nature, his supernatural birth, perfect life, death, and resurrection.

You see a man's relation to that event is all that matters. Everything else is only important to a man in relation to that event.

To know Jesus and be known by him is of infinite value. All other things dim in comparison to this.

Of course we can only see this spiritually. But we should taste and see that the Lord is good. If we were given the choice of Jesus or the whole world the answer is easy with spiritual eyes is easy.

Of course to see spiritual is difficult. May we have eyes to see.