The Good News of God's Grace

Since time on earth began, the message of the "grace of God that brings salvation" has been given to us to provide the motivating "hope of eternal lie" (Titus 2:11; 3:7). From the tree of life in the center of the Garden of Eden to the dry ground in the middle of the Jordan River, from the jubilant worship in Solomon's temple to the quiet reflections in Paul's prison cell, the "precious truth" has been set before us. The good news of God's grace (Acts 20:24) is the theme into which the prophets "searched intently and with the greatest care" (1 Peter 1:!0) and was the favorite subject of Christ's teaching here on earth. "So surely as there never was a time when God was not, so surely there never was a moment when it was not the delight of the eternal mind to manifest His grace to humanity."

Here is the matchless truth, expressed in one book of the Bible, but with an abundance of creative pictures: God has put all our sins behind His back *(Isaiah 38:17). He has graven us on the palms of His hands *(49:16). He has clothed us with garments of salvation *(61:10). Our sin is atoned for *(6:7). We are ransomed* (35:10). Healed* (53:5). Chosen* (49:7). Redeemed* (63:9). Forgiven* (33:24).

"Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned." (Steps to Christ, pg. 62)

This is the gospel of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13), the Bible truth about how we are saved- by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. There are no exceptions. "We are saved by grace through faith in the Saviour's merit, or we are not saved at all." (quote from Helmut Ott, in his book Another Look at Valuegenesis

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Sorry I don't have time to have all the verses posted that are referred to in this post - but I did do the ones in the paragraph that has the stars next to the references.

       Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.    

Isaiah 38:17

 

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

Your walls are continually before Me.       

Isaiah 49:16

 

                                   I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 

Isaiah 61:10

 

With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Isaiah 6:7

 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

Isaiah 35:10

 

 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 

Isaiah 53:5

 

                                 Thus says the Lord, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because of the Lord who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has chosen You."

Isaiah 49:7

 

In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.

Isaiah 63:9

 

     And the inhabitant will not say, "I am sick";

The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity.

Isaiah 33:24