Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July 16/58

Contributor - H. Fikse

Title - What A Love

Topic - Grace

Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come. Revelation 1 : 4.

Grace is unmerited, even forfeited favour.

Grace from whom? To put it in one word from "God".

Grace to whom? To the seven churches in Asia Minor. Just imagine! Grace, unmerited and forfeited favour to the churches, which certainly hadn't deserved it from a just God! With the exception of the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, against which nothing is recorded, read what are the charges brought forward.

To the church of Ephesus: 'I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love."

To the church of Pergamum: "I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam So hast thou some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans."

To the church of Thyatira: "I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication."

To the church of Sardis: "Thou hast a name that thou livest and thou art dead."

To the church of Laodicea: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because that thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth."

One would expect that God's fiercest of curses might be flung against such churches. And yet though God knew all the sins and shortcomings of these churches here it is: "Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come". 0 the depths and riches of mercy, grace and love of God! Riches of mercy, grace and love in Christ Jesus!

Grace, God's grace, God's forfeited favour! How shall a pen describe it! How shall a human tongue tell it!

One wonders how God would have to speak about the individual churches and to individuals here in our local congregations in Canada. You as an individual and the local church might know. Personally I am persuaded, "No one is pure in his sight. We all have fallen short of the glory of God." And yet here it is, "Grace to you and peace!"

That's the thing that dazzles. Grace is forfeited favour. Surely we have not deserved such favour. Yet there it is. The grace of God through the atoning blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span

At Calvary!

Grace! And therefore also "Peace!" Peace is the absence of hostility. "Peace through the blood of the cross." It defies explanation. But again, here it is. "Peace, sweet peace, the gift of God's love."

How great are the riches of mercies and grace of God to the humble and contrite sinner. Brother, sister are you sharing in that? If you do, then reveal it in a life dedicated to God's will.

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