GRACE, PEACE, SALVATION

_“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5: 8)_

Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a greeting, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Grace and peace are two precious words both Peter and Paul use to greet those to whom they write.  As time goes on, words such as these are in danger of losing their significance.  “Good bye” does not mean so much as “God be with you!”  Grace is free, undeserved fruit and peace is its fruit.  Both spring ultimately from the Father who gives all men liberally, and both reach the Christian through our Lord Jesus Christ, the medium of divine love.  All that the Father has is Christ’s.  But Paul has much in his mind that he cannot close his greeting with these words.  Something must be said about Christ in order to stamp the essential truth of Christianity on the heart of the Galatians  then and there.  Accordingly he proceeds, “Who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.”  The age in which Paul lived was evil.  There was evil within and without.  Alas!  this is true still.  We each know the plague of our own heart and we see signs of the same moral plague all around. No one is immune.  All are liable to be entangled in the net of iniquity. How can anyone save us without himself being stained?  Thanks to the will of God, even our Father, and thanks to the loving obedience of His Son,  there is way.  Christ has done something for this purpose. Yes.  He has indeed given us excellent precepts.  He has set us an example to follow, but He has done something more.  He gave Himself, His own self for our sins - every one of ours!  Even the worst of the soul can be reached by the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of life and love which flows from the Cross where Christ was crucified.  No wonder that Paul ends with a praise,  “To whom be glory for ever and ever.” 

Dear friends, Christ has given the key of your prison house into your hands.  Take it, use it and be delivered from your bondage and glorify His name through your life.

*PRAYER* :  Dear Lord, I am a sinner and deserve to be punished.  But out of your love for me You gave Your own life as a ransom to save me.  Cleanse me by Your blood.  Forgive me.  Set me free.  Deliver me from the power of sin.  All glory and honor be to You for ever and ever.  Amen.