Nothing but grace.

As some are aware, my wife and I spent a week on a cruise to the Norwegian fjords at the beginning of the month. We. had a lovely, relaxing, time - but, sadly, did not see the Aurora Borealis. That, I must confess, was a great disappointment.

Having been on one previous cruise to celebrate our Ruby wedding anniversary (actually, several months after the date!) we had some idea of what to expect on board.  What we did not expect was that, on the Monday evening, the Head Waiter in the restaurant to which we had been assigned for dinner, would ask if we would like to sit at the Captain's table, in a different restaurant, on the following, formal dress, evening! Those who recall the UK television series "Keeping up appearances" will understand when I say that Hyacinth would have been deep green with envy!! Anyway, we accepted and, on the following evening, dressed up "to the nines", we arrived with our Invitation Card, and were shown to the largest table in the room!

The menu was the same as that for the rest of the passengers, but the service was exceptional. There were eight of us at the table (not, as it turned out, with the Captain, but with the Purser!) and, each couple had their own waiter. This meant that, for each course, all eight plates were laid simultaneously! Class!!

While we awaited the arrival of the third of the passenger couples, I asked the other couple who were already there if they knew why we had been chosen. They had no more idea than had I! That set me thinking (yes, I do undertake this activity occasionally!). We had not paid for this privilege; we had not performed some heroic deed; we had not earned it. I realised that this was a good illustration of grace!

What is grace? Well, if you purchase a copy of my first book "Great Words of the Faith", there's a whole chapter dedicated to that subject. However, putting it simply, it is Almighty God treating us as we don't deserve. As a sinner, I deserve only His wrath, judgement, and punishment. But, because, in the Persona (see the chapter on "The Trinity" in the aforementioned book) of the Lord Jesus, He paid the penalty for my sin - and yours - on the cross of Calvary, I am freely forgiven, and accepted by Him as His child. 

Not only is there no cost, on my part, involved, but there are no conditions. Father God doesn’t even set out conditions that have to be met before He bestows His grace upon us!  As we accept Him, and the gifts of His grace, we do find that there are conditions attached – but these are more of a necessary response to His love than a prerequisite to receiving it.

Without cost; without condition; and without compare.  It is only by the grace of God that we can be built up spiritually; it is only by His grace that we can receive the inheritance of His children.  Incomparable grace – without compare in its make-up; and without compare in its measure. Writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, Paul states that “… the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”   “… the grace of our Lord overflowed …”  (I Tim.1:14).  That’s grace beyond measure!

And it’s without compare in its motive. Those of a certain age, and ecclesiastical background, may remember the first question in the Shorter Catechism?  “What is the chief end (the prime purpose, the 'raison d’être') of man?”  And the answer?  “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever.”  There can be no greater motive than the glory of God.

Grace – without cost; without condition; without compare.  Grace: God’s own gift to undeserving sinners. May God grant to each one of us, by His grace, the courage, and strength, and faith, to respond positively to it, that we might appropriate all of its wonderful blessings and benefits at a personal level; and be found, in the company of all of His faithful people, giving all of the glory to Him.

An open door.

It's probably less common than it ought to be - and I have only experienced one such situation in all of my adult working life! - but, sometimes, a boss will make clear to his/her employees that, "My door is always open."

Now we know that that those words are not to be taken literally! There will be many times when the boss needs a certain amount of privacy because, for example, (s)he is working on sensitive information, or because an employee is being disciplined. We know that what the boss is really saying is "I am always available to you. I will listen to you.I will do what I can to alleviate any difficult situation." And the vast majority of employees will be grateful to have such an employer.

Have you ever noticed that, according to the Gospel records, the Lord Jesus was never asked, by the disciples, for a master-class in miracles; or a presentation on preaching; or a homily on healing? Indeed, there was only one such request made of Him: "He was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”" (Luke 11:1; emphasis added).

Prayer! What an important practise for the disciple of Jesus! But what is it? Well it is, obviously, speaking - but it is speaking to Father God, in the Name of the Son (Jesus, the Christ), under the prompting of God the Holy Spirit. However, if it is, as some sceptics might suggest, merely "talking to the ceiling", then it would certainly be a waste of time and effort. But is this truly the case?

John records, in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus, the Christ: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut;” (Rev.3:7-8; emphasis added).

Now those highlighted words are generally taken as referring to opportunities to minister and evangelise for the Philadelphian fellowship. However, I believe that we may also take them as a more general reference to prayer. How many, in the persecuted church, know this truth. They may be denied a Bible, or even a few portions of the Scriptures; they may be physically isolated from their brothers and sisters in Jesus; they may be denied food, water, even sleep; but no-one can stop them from praying! No mortal is capable of shutting that open door!

When I come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, I know that I have an open door that no man can shut. And, unlike any earthly boss, I may take those words literally. It doesn't matter where I am. It doesn't matter what time of day it is. It doesn't matter if I am going to throw up a quick "arrow prayer", or whether I am going into a period of deep intercession. Always, His door is open.

And He always answers. Yes - always! I have often heard people claim that "I prayed, and God didn't answer!" I have also heard some say, joyfully that "God answered my/our prayer!" - the implication being that, on other occasions, He had failed to do so!

The truth is that we often think that our prayers have been answered only when we receive that for which we had prayed. However, no loving father responds positively to every request made. I am a father, and would not have done so with my children. Why not? Simply because of my greater knowledge, and experience, of life!

Father God is the one "from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," (Eph.3:15), and He is infinitely more knowledgeable than any of His children. More than that, He can do what no earthly father can do - He sees all of time at once and so, He knows the future every bit as well as He does the past. And so, He sometimes answers our prayers with "No! I know that that is not for you." Other times, He answers with "Wait! This is not the right time." But always, He answers, as He brings about His perfect will and purpose.

And always, but always, His door is open to those who come to Him, not claiming anything of their own, but only the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. Let us pray!