Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:13

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

• Ephesians 1:4-7

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Romans 5:21

Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

• Romans 5:14

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

• Titus 3:4-7

in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

• Titus 1:2

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

• Galatians 3:21

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

• Romans 3:20-22

“Q. 19. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery?
“A. God having, out of his good pleasure from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life (2 Thess. 2:13), did enter into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of the state of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer (Rom. 5:21).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Catechism (Scripture proofs in bold above)

“Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
“A. God, having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.”

• The Shorter Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

“Q. 30. Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
“A. God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace.”

• The Larger Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

Finally, we have emerged from the definition of original sin and the punishment thereof.  We deserve an estate of sin and misery, but God provides Grace.

God loves us.  He allows for a different method other than simply “being good” or the “covenant of works” – doing good deeds.  Those who call upon the name of the Lord are God’s elect.

But we do nothing to become the elect.  Thus, God’s plan is to award Grace to those who believe.

That Grace requires a redeemer that we will see in next week’s question.

And now let us sing.

The following hymn, Amazing Grace is sung by Celtic Women.  I wanted to choose it before now, but in the introduction of Grace, it seemed fitting.

“Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
It was grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
This grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see”

• John Newton, Amazing Grace

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We have all sinned.  We know that the punishment for that sin is death and eternal separation from You.  We praise You for the Grace You have shown us in that Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins.  Thank You.  There is no way we could ever pay back what we owe.  We only pray that You will use us to further Your kingdom.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.