MARVELOUS GRACE

What is there in us that attracts the marvelous grace, mercy and pardon of
our
Savior? Is it some kind of beauty, goodness, or strength? Is it some kind of
potential in us?

No! It is our great need and utter helplessness that attracts his grace. It
is
our weakness that attracts his strength. Our helpless condition is
exemplified
by the palsied man in Mark, chapter two: "And they came unto him, bringing
one
sick of the palsy..." (Mark 2:3).

Here is a picture of absolute helplessness, a man without one iota of
strength
or power. He cannot even bring himself to Christ. Look again at that
trembling,
weak, helpless creature-a prisoner to his own bed. That is you and me before
we knew anything of Christ's power.

Jesus stood before this helpless man, let down to him through the roof, and
did
not even mention his physical condition. The Lord chose to bring him into
the
Father's presence clean and cleared. He would be accepted before he was
healed.
"When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy
sins
be forgiven thee" (Mark 2:5).

What a beautiful picture of the love of God in Christ Jesus! Here is a
helpless
man, too overwhelmed by his infirmity to even whimper. He cannot even muster
a
weak confession.
"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:10). The
Pharisee, with all his good works, his boasting, never did attract the grace
of
the Lord. It is not of works, lest any man should boast.

Show me the child of God who struggles against a hated besetting sin, one
who
is crushed beneath a load of guilt and despair, one who feels helpless and
weak-and I will show you the one who is the object of abundant grace. Where
sin abounds, grace abounds much more (see Romans 5:20).

When you have repented, stand by faith on the finished work of the cross!
Through faith in him, your sins are under the blood. You now live on the
other
side of the veil, seated with Christ in heavenly places, accepted in the
beloved, one with Christ and the Father! God's wrath against your sin has
been
satisfied. You are now more than a conqueror, living and moving in the
Spirit.
You are filled with the fullness of Christ with power to meet everything
having
to do with life and godliness. You are the apple of his eye, renewed in your
mind, and made an heir to all that belongs to Christ the Lord!