Grace That Is Greater

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

I recall a story the evangelist Billy Graham told of his relationship with then President John F. Kennedy. Reverend Graham had presented the gospel to the president who was very attentive and interested, but never made a commitment. Graham said when he was down with a very serious case of the flu, he received a call from the president. JFK said he was ready to accept Christ and wanted to meet with him.

Graham politely begged off, saying how sick he was at the moment, and would it be alright to meet in a couple of weeks when he was better? The president graciously said, “Of course. I understand.” Graham said the president was assassinated two weeks later and he (Graham) never got to speak with him. Graham said, “That will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

God, who does not change, says, “As surely as I live, declares the LORD GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live” (Ezekiel 33:11, 2^nd Peter 3:9).

The thief on the cross asked for forgiveness (Luke 23:42), yet Paul told the Philippian jailer to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” (Acts 16:31). God honors both, asking out loud and sincerely believing in the saving message of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. It comes down to a sincere heart of repentance and that’s what He sees.

If the grace of God is as true as Scripture teaches it leads me to believe John F. Kennedy had already made his decision for Christ’s salvation when he decided, it was what he wanted. In his phone call to Graham the president admitted he was ready and willing. When he decided “I’m ready,” that’s when Christ’s redemptive work could happen. God saw his heart and I believe we’ll see him in the New Kingdom. In fact, I believe we’ll see many there who we now believe are beyond the scope of Christ’s compassion and mercy. We can’t know their heart of hearts, but He does.

Grace brings forgiveness to the sincerely penitent to be sure, but grace is also pertinent to any problem or predicament you may be facing right now. Grace means He’s hearing your heart at all times and grace means He will never stop caring for you (1^st Peter 5:7). Thankfully, the grace of God remains constant for us.

Regardless of our past biases, a perfect day is coming when we will all join together in the harmony of worship and thanksgiving (Revelation 5:13). God’s fathomless grace will roll upon us throughout eternity like huge waves of the ocean. Who can know it? Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for His grace, for it means He cares for each and every one of us in every second of this life and our lives to come.

 

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace, grace, God’s grace

Grace that is greater than all our sin

(Grace Greater Than Our Sin, Public Domain)

Ken