December 12, 2004

“Kingdom of God: The Triumph of God’s Grace”

We continue on tonight with our look into the grace given us in Christ Jesus.

We are living in a time when certain distinctions between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ have become blurred in the Christian world.

In fact, I am sorry to say, that the current ‘righteousness’ (and I put that word in quotes) is far out of alignment with
God’s righteousness.

As things seem to be heading today - in Christian circles - there is a creation of ‘self-generated righteousness’ that suits assorted life styles.

We are creating our own standard, making our own laws of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.

And that standard is not in alignment with the standard God has put into order for spiritual living.

But to underscore both the growing in grace and the growing in the knowledge of Christ, there must be the corresponding growth in harmony with divine righteousness.

This is our point of concentration this evening.

And I have chosen as the text the verse found in Rom 5:2.

It reads: ‘By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.’

The writer to the Romans has been discussing the character and the qualities of the new life God gave through His Son, Christ Jesus.

And he said that the grace in which we stand is by faith.

And that faith has a hope in it that looks forward to the actual glory of God.

In other words, that grace certifies that hope we have - to share His glory.

It is the footing toward enjoying the presence of Almighty God.

Therefore, he told his readers that through Christ we have obtained that access.

In fact - we already stand - in that grace of God’s presence.

We not only know of God’s loving disposition toward us.

But we know He is also acting in us toward the standard He has set for living.    

And, by it, we are being blessed with His very presence.

Now - it is very clear that we cannot expect divine virtues from those who have not accepted God’s grace in Christ. 

Paul, in his writings, certainly did not expect that from those who were not Christians.

Most of his readers had just come out of a pagan religion.

Standing in Christ’s grace was a new and glorious way of life for them.

So - since they did now stand in grace - Paul saw no point in appealing to the lower motives of life - to those of self-interest and self-pride.

That approach to the new life would do no spiritual good.

And that approach does no spiritual good today either!

It only adds confusion and dismay.

But speak of the depth of commitment to Christ, of loyalty to Him, of gratitude for Christ’s saving work - and the picture changes.

Now - the working grace of Christ within adds the dimension  to live the life aright.

Paul said it at another time: ‘...I count all things but loss for the excellency - for the excellency - of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.’

He reckoned all things pure loss for the sake of the exceeding value, surpassing worth, the priceless privilege of knowing Christ more fully!

How could he know that to be able to pass it on to others? 

Let us look at the encounter Jesus had with a young man to find the answer.

A certain young ruler came to Jesus one time and asked: ‘What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’

Jesus recited the commandments to him which contained God’s order for human life.

The man’s answer was: ‘I have done all that.’

Then Jesus said to him: ‘Good! Now - if you wish to go the whole way - if you desire to be complete - go sell your possessions and give to the poor and needy.

And you will have treasures in heaven: then come and follow Me.’ 

What was Jesus endorsing for true spiritual living?

Was He saying that all one needed to do was to give up all his worldly goods and he would benefit spiritually?

Of course not!

What was this young ruler to do, according to Jesus?

Although he had kept all the commandments, he held on to the most notable part - himself! 

So he left - spiritually empty-handed!

His - as with each who names the Name of Christ - was a matter of the surrender of himself.

His was a matter of placing complete confidence in Jesus.

His was a matter of undivided loyalty and full-hearted obedience.

And that means no substitutes to the absolute claim of God upon a man’s life once he has been called out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ.

For - it is there he stands in the triumph of grace where with even the magnitude of God’s righteous standard is kept.

And this is what Paul sought in his Christian walk.

He stood in the triumph of grace where the righteousness of Christ is available. 

He stood in the triumph of grace where the righteousness of Christ is knowable.

He stood in the triumph of grace where the righteousness of Christ is attainable  - no matter how the world would go!

Is this a radical approach to living?

Is this too hard of an adjustment for our hearts to make?

No - I think not!

It should not be!

Actually - it personifies the Kingdom of God and that reverses all worldly claims! 

Jesus indicated that those who follow Him - into the triumph of His grace and its subsequent conquests - take part in the treasures of His kingdom.

This is where the divine changes take place.

The new man is created in righteousness.

That is, true holiness has been renewed in the Spirit of his mind.

So - the heart starts adjusting to make those good changes!

For example, ‘He who stole, steals no more.’

‘He who lies, lies no more.’

‘He who warns men against adultery does not practice it himself.’

‘He who gets angry, does not sin by nursing his grudge: he does not let resentment lead him into sin.’

‘He who uses unwholesome words no longer lets them pass his lips.

But he uses only good words as the occasion demands so that it becomes a means of blessing to the hearer.’   

Do you suppose these - and all the other New Testament examples - are so radical in our day that we can no longer stand in the grace of Christ to symbolize His kingdom in them?

It is quite amazing that - after this brief encounter with the young ruler - the disciples asked Jesus: ‘So - what do we get out of all of this?’

And Jesus told them: ‘[You]...shall receive many times as much and will gain eternal life besides.’

‘You will receive many times as much!’.

What could be more triumphant than to have His saving activity support and sustain in time of need?

His enablement is always found in the grip of His grace to conquer greed, hate, lust, pride, and everything else in us.  

I wonder - how many know of us know what really happens when we stand in the triumph of God’s grace in Christ? 

I wonder how many know of the very deep-seated confidence and contentment in the divine origin of righteousness that rises to the surface at that time! 

To see Him ‘face to face’, at that moment, is the glory we look for!

So - today - the need is that we are Christians in the fullest sense of its meaning.

That is, that we do the will of God and follow His righteousness, standing in His grace to bring it forth.

And that we follow it of our own free choice because it is right to do that.

For the Christian, it is right to do that!

It may be that sometimes things go way beyond our power to understand.

But they can be made clear to our hearts in that grace wherein we stand.

And the excellency of His knowledge we learn there - is our treasure. 

I know this is a crude illustration of what standing in the triumph of God’s grace seems like.

But I liken it to a ship gliding into a placid haven, seeking shelter from the battering it has weathered in the stormy seas.

There it rests in assurance and quietness and watches the sea rage on.  

Thomas Adams put it this way: ‘Grace comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world: first, as a dawning; then a light; and, at last, the sun, in his full and excellent brightness.’

Is this an abstract, obscure truth we are looking at tonight?

Of course not! 

What Christ was and what He said and did, showed men the vital and unique relationship He had with God.

It made His life the Agent through which the divine power could reach us.

Thus, His grace comes with power.

Is this too simple a truth?

If you think so, please reconsider.

When you first received the free grace of Christ’s salvation, was it not against a resisting force within you opposing your decision first?

When you face a temptation, a challenge to your faith, is there a moment of rebellion and resentment?

Are you not up against a resisting force opposing your yieldedness to the righteousness of Christ?

Do these matters not require a very painful peeling away of ‘old skin’ to bring forth the new?

Does it not require an even deeper stripping away each time?

Is it easy?

Of course not!

God’s grace in Christ is not a cheap grace!

It has been bought with a great, great price!

And it does not submit to man’s attempt to make it a cheap grace!  

God met every kind of need with His sovereign power in the ages past.

And He has the same power to change for good our human sorry selves!

So yes - the writer to the Romans said: ‘We have obtained access to this grace in which we stand.’

There is an abundance of power in it.

The scope of it is beyond our understanding!

And, if you read onward in Rom 5 to verse 17, the writer also explained how ‘...those who receive God’s overflowing grace and the free Gift of Righteousness reign as kings in life...’ through Christ.

Its effect assures us it is the way to ‘reign’ in life.

In it, we would never be able to say that the Biblical ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ no longer pertain to our generation!

The word of God’s grace is the profound heritage of His church and it is the ministry we proclaim to the lost world!

Whatever is founded on His righteousness will always be the same in His people!

Standing in His grace will never water it down!

It will never soft-pedal, adulterate, nor weaken it!

It stands forever!

It is we humans who fail to understand it and appropriate 
it - who dilute it and make it ‘cheap grace’.

So, I say to you - in your Christian walk, do not be afraid to swim against the tide of the ‘self-generated righteousness’ in our current-world-waters!
 
The grace in which we stand does spring up in ‘God-generated righteousness’ and shows it to be effective!

For - herein lies the mystery of Christ in you!

Herein lies the secret of living the Christian life!

Herein is the power to live the Christian life!

Thus - receive it!

Delight in it!

Flourish in it. 

Persevere in the truth of His righteousness and stand firm in the grace of Christ to bring it forth upon the earth!

I will close here for tonight.

Will you take this into your heart and ponder it this week before the Lord?

By faith, let it take hold!

May the Lord give us the wisdom and insight to stand in His grace.

And to let the Gift of His righteousness spring forth and glorify our God! 

Amen.

Let us pray.