Praise God for His grace and peace!

In the last few weeks each gem has been starting from Galatians 1:3 "Grace [be] to you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ"

We saw that God's grace is sufficient for our sins and that through faith the power of Christ rests upon us. (2. Corinthians 12:9)

We also saw that the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) is promised to those who have been "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1). And by faith, as we keep our minds fixed on God, being continually aware of His promises we are kept "in perfect peace" (Isaiah 26:3-4).

Therefore the greeting of "Grace be to you and peace" has taken on a whole new meaning for us.

Now let's finish this series by reading the next verse in Galatians chapter 1.

"Grace [be] to you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" - Galatians 1:3-4

Imagine you are at a garage sale of furniture, books and other trinkets of sorts. You are interested in a particularly nice desk lamp, and say to the owner "I'll give you $5 for it". What have you just done? You've just agreed to give $5 in exchange for the desk lamp.

Now consider Jesus. He also entered in an agreement, where an exchange was to take place. What was that exchange? What did it cost the King of Heaven? What did He receive?

Jesus Christ "gave himself". Could a costlier price be given? No! What could be so great, what could be so costly as to claim the very life of God?

Jesus Christ "gave himself for our sins".

It was "for our sins" that the sinless Son of God bore the guilt of the sinful race and ultimately died the sinner's death. He gave his life as a "ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Christ had not one shred of selfish desire. To give His life and take our sins was a most humiliating experience for one so noble and righteous.

Yet because of the great love of Christ, He endured the pain and humiliation of the cross.

In Isaiah 53, concerning Christ, we read:

"He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities" - Isaiah 53:11

Christ knew that His sacrifice and death would justify many. He knew that thousands would be eternally saved, and for this reason He endured the cross.

Christ gave Himself to take our sins. Rejoice my friend, Christ has paid for your sins. Wait not a moment longer, "come boldly unto the throne of grace,", confessing, forsaking sin, you will "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

And through His grace, Christ promises ultimate deliverance.

"...Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" - Galatians 1:3-4

It is the will of God to take our sin, to deliver us from this present evil world. He desires us to be free from the bondage of sin.

However while Christ has paid the penalty for sin, God is love, it is against His character to force the subjects of His kingdom. The choice remains up to us. Will we surrender our sinful hearts to Christ to be forgiven and cleansed? Will we walk each trying hour, by faith in Him?

The choice is up to us.

Let's close with these encouraging thoughts.

"We should not try to lessen our guilt by excusing sin. We must accept God's estimate of sin, and that is heavy indeed. Calvary alone can reveal the terrible enormity of sin. If we had to bear our own guilt, it would crush us. But the sinless One has taken our place; though undeserving, He has borne our iniquity. "If we confess our sins," God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Glorious truth! - just to His own law, and yet the Justifier of all that believe in Jesus. "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy." Micah 7:18." - Ellen G. White, Prayer pg. 299 (emphasis supplied)