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!