If there is one word that can sum up what our texts (John 1:16,17; Ephesians 1:7) reveal this morning, it would be the word “grace”. God’s undeserved, unmerited favor through Jesus Christ is the gracious provision of God for the salvation of lost man.
God’s plan of redemption is still the cause of much controversy today, as it was when Paul wrote to the church in the city of Corinth. The gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ still offends those who pride themselves on their intelligence, or philosophical or scientific knowledge. For them, the message of the cross is perceived to be foolish and barbaric (1 Corinthians 1:18-21). To declare that our Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1a; Isaiah 40:28) became a man (John 1:1,14) to die on the cross for people like me, who rebelled against His authority and commandments, is absurd.
Since the fall of mankind (Genesis 3), we are born dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3), and our greatest need is for God’s grace and forgiveness. To a civilized, educated “moralist”, that message might be necessary for the drug addict or people like Hitler, but not for them. Oh how the devil has succeeded in blinding mankind (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) to the redemption that is in Christ Jesus! Rather than spend time dwelling on the works of the devil, though, we need to be faithful to the call of God to proclaim the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
The truth is that the devil is the one who is responsible for ripping off mankind, not Jesus Christ (John 10:10)! Christ came to deliver us from the powers of darkness (Acts 26:14-18). The gospel is clear: Jesus Christ came to die for sinners (Romans 5:6,8,10). He came to deliver those who would call upon His Name (Romans 10:1-17).
Have you repented of your sin (Luke 13:1-5) and received Christ Jesus The Lord (John 1:12-13)? Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1,2). Look to Jesus alone and be saved (Acts 4:12, 16:31).
