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.