Would you rather have grace or mercy? Thankfully, God extends both: mercy when He takes a punishment from us that we deserve and grace when He gives us something we do not deserve. Our salvation is the result of both, and both come from God’s intervening goodness.
Jesus was crucified between two convicted criminals who initially joined the crowd in mocking Christ. As the hours passed, one of the thieves obviously had a change of heart. He watched the character of Christ during the ordeal and realized Jesus was the God-Man He claimed to be. The thief’s soul was touched by the finger of God, and at last, he broke down: “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’” (Luke 23:42). Given His tremendous pain and suffering, it is difficult to understand how Christ could be concerned with the salvation of a wretched thief next to Him, but He was: “And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:43). The Lord cares about the destiny of every soul (2 Peter 3:9). This is a testimony to God’s goodness and sovereignty in redemption.
I try to remember this whenever I speak to people about their faith and pray for their salvation. Often a gifted pastor or a smooth operating church wants to take credit for someone’s salvation. But salvation is always the direct result of God’s intervening goodness – His grace and mercy through Christ’s sacrifice. A slick presentation or convincing illustration can’t really change a life. It is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit that draws a person to Jesus and changes a person’s heart (John 6:44).
God has complete sovereignty. He stands alone, Lord over all. God’s sovereignty is an expression of His absolute wisdom, supreme authority, and unmatched power over and in all things. His sovereignty means that He makes His own plans and carries them out in His own time and way. It means that God’s will is not arbitrary but is fulfilled in complete harmony with His character.
Throughout the Bible we are taught that all life is lived in the sustaining will of God in whom we live and move and have our being. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). We are free to accept or reject Him, though. As a bird is free in the air, and a fish in the sea, so man has his true freedom in the will of God who created him for Himself.
We are all destined to perish (Romans 3:23). But God in His goodness intervened, offering His grace and mercy for all: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). As long as they live, it is never too late to offer the gospel to someone, no matter what they may have done.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-9
Personal Application: When you feel led to share the gospel, think about Who originates and regulates all things – God Almighty. It is His goodness that made a way for salvation and that draws the heart of a man. Do you trust the will of God? Do you have the courage to tell others about Him?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5