God Extends His Grace
BRD REFLECTIONS
(Ng Chai Seng, Secretary, LCEC)
READ:
OBSERVE:
Abraham’s faith, not justified by works (Romans 4:1-8) – Abraham believed God by faith, and it was credited to him as righteousness (v3); wages from works is not a gift, but an obligation (v4-5); blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, their sins are covered and the Lord will never count their sin against them (v6-8).
Abraham’s faith, neither circumcision nor law (Romans 4:9-16) – Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness before his circumcision (v9-11); follow the footsteps of Abraham’s faith (v12); not through the good works by law, but through righteousness that comes by faith (v13); if people depend on the law, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless (v14-15); God’s promise comes by faith and by His grace to all (v16).
Abraham’s faith, by God’s grace (Romans 4:17-25) – God made Abraham “father of many nations” (v17); Abraham in hope believed (v18) without weakening in faith despite his old age; he did not waver through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith, and gave glory to God (v19-20); God had power to do what He had promised (v21); God will credit righteousness — to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (v22-25).
Our salvation is not what we work for, but it is God’s gift to us by His grace through our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).
APPLY:
God is Merciful – He covered our sin and no longer counts it against us; Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to bear our sin. Be thankful that we did not receive what our sin deserves.
God is Accessible, He does not show favouritism – Jews or Gentiles, not by birth, nor by law, nor by good deeds, nor works, but by the grace of God through faith we receive the gift of salvation. Like Abraham in his unwavering faith, we are strengthened. Always ascribe all glory to our God alone, and not by our own merit.
God is Promise-keeping – Abraham and Sarah had a son at a ripe old age. God kept His promise to Abraham as the “father of many nations” for the generations to follow. By faith, we freely receive the gift of righteousness that we do not deserve. Be grateful that God has extended His grace to all who believe, including us and the generations to come, and also the criminal hung on the cross with Jesus (Luke 23:43). Everyone has to respond and decide whether to believe in God by faith.
I was pleasantly surprised to see two rainbows in the sky within one day, one in the morning and another in the evening. Like the Israelites, “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.” (Genesis 13:21). The rainbows remind me to focus on God’s steadfast love and His faithfulness.
DO:
- I will worship our Merciful God with gratitude for extending His grace to me.
- I will be mindful that my journey of intentional discipleship can have an impact on my family and the next generation.
- I will trust in God’s power to do what He had promised, for He is able to do immeasurably more than all that I ask or imagine (Ephesian 3:20-21).
PRAY:
Dear Merciful and Gracious God, I thank You for what Christ had done for me on the cross. Thank You for extending Your grace to me and forgiving my sin. Thank You for Your promise that You will never leave nor forsake me. Please strengthen my faith in You that I may walk in intentional discipleship as the Holy Spirit transforms me from within my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
