Accessible Grace

Thora Evans

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” – Romans 5:1-2.

Our subject for discussion is found in the first part of Verse two, concerning the accessible grace of God. Verse one tells us that justification is an established fact. It begins with “therefore,” or because of things taught in the previous chapters. Then He begins to unfold to us the benefits of justification.

The first benefit of justification is peace. Once we were enemies of God; but now, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are at peace with God. We are no longer separated because of sin. We no longer see God only  as a God of wrath and vengeance. He is now our loving heavenly Father.

Happy are those saints who have come to the revelation of eternal life in Christ. Oh, the joy of knowing that “eternal redemption” is a finished work that needs no effort on our part. We cannot improve upon nor make any more secure, what Jesus has done for us. I am safe in Christ forevermore – John. 10:28-30. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” All spiritual blessings come through  Him.

Moving on then to verse two, we have two aspects of grace laid out before us; that is, “this grace wherein we stand,” and the grace into which “we have access.” Grace is usually defined as “unmerited favor.” While that may be true in part, that is not “this grace.” “This is the true grace of God wherein ye stand” – I Peter 5:12. This grace is Divine power extended to us and able to work in us. This standing is ours because of salvation; it is unalterable as is justification.

Then we also  have “access” into grace. This has to do with our state, or the degree in which we grow in grace. Let us picture what would happen if we took a little boy and stood him in a candy store surrounded by all kings of treats and goodies. If we told him he could have everything he wanted, wouldn’t his eyes light up as he would reach out and take to himself all the delicious sweets he could possible eat? It would be truly strange, if he refused to take advantage of such an opportunity. He could stand in the store all day, but would miss out of all the benefits offered to him. This simple little illustration may help us to see what God is trying to teach us here.

Our standing in grace is secure. God has brought us into the banquet room of His grace. Spread out before us is grace for every need, and for an abundant life of joy, peace, and victory. Is it not sad to see saints bogged down by some great sorrow in their life? God’s grace is sufficient, as He told Paul, to turn that sorrow to joy and victory instead of that sorrow ruining a life. Perhaps there are those who have been hurt or wronged or greatly disappointed. In stead of letting God’s grace set them free, they have nursed that hurt until bitterness has defiled the heart and soul. In such a life there can be no growth, no joy, no victory, and no crown.

They tell us that, if a little boy eats too much candy, he may become ill. But oh! God’s grace is sweet, indescribably sweet, and we can never eat too much. It will never made is ill, not “true grace,” no indeed. Instead, it has a healing, energizing quality. Abundant grace causes us to reign in this life over every trial, every temptation, and every problem. Grace also teaches us and empowers us to live a sober, godly, righteous life in the present; and prepares us for a place of full glory in the ages to come. Titus 2:11-13.

We would apply  Ezekiel 47:2-5 as another illustration of God’s grace. The picture here is a wide river spread out before the prophet. First the waters were ankle deep. This is just the beginning of our Christian life, when we first learn what it means to be justified by faith and begin to enjoy  the blessings of our new life in Christ.

Then the prophet came to waters that were up to the loins. This pictures a deeper experience of God’s grace, and realizes that God has more for him yet. His confidence in the all-sufficiency of God’s grace has grown to the point where he is ready to cut loose from the shore and enjoy waters to swim in.

How wonderful to sink down into the warm soothing waters of Divine grace, and let it flow over and around us till nothing but our Head – Christ – is seen. Is it not a beautiful sight to see an experienced swimmer glide through the water? It looks so effortless; he seems to be one with the water, as if he belongs there. There is no splashing about, no struggling, when the art of swimming has been perfected. Even so, to see God’s people established in grace, till grace rules their life, is a lovely sight to see; not only to others but especially to God. Such a life brings glory to Jesus Christ, and proves the worth of what He accomplished at Calvary.

When our little boy took swimming lessons, I watched the way different children reacted to the water. It was interesting and also instructive as an example of spiritual things. There were some who would jump right in without hesitation. Others would slowly lower themselves down while hanging securely on to the side of the pool. Still others had to be coaxed, or lifted down by the instructor and carried in his arms, to help them conquer their fear.

Our reaction to water or our success or lack of it at swimming are certainly no indication of our spiritual growth; but what a picture.  Sometimes those who just seem to jump into the things of God are the first to draw back when troubles came. We saw one little girl at swimming lessons who one day was right in the eater apparently enjoying herself, but the next day she would have nothing to do with the water. The instructor tried to encourage her, but nothing he said or did made any difference to her.

Thank God He has given us good instructors, the Word, the Holy Spirit, pastors, teachers, and so forth; but for some folks all of that is of no avail. How sad. Then some children, who were slow to get in the water, soon learned there was nothing to fear. They put their confidence in their instructor, and let him or her teach them the art of swimming.

Oh, the joy of teachable saints. The way of grace seems so strange, so new, and even rather frightening to the flesh. It sounds too good to be true. But, if the old man is truly reckoned dead, the new man will soon learn to let the wonderful grace of God take control. It will buoy him up and carry him along, until he is swimming effortlessly along, enjoying to the fullest the unsearchable riches of God’s grace.

Oh, saints, let us all be of that number. We can never, never exhaust the grace of God, no matter how far out we swim. We will never reach the limit, we will never tire of it. Out there in the deep water, we are totally dependent upon the Lord and upon His grace, which will never fail to hold us up and keep us from sinking. Thank God for His immeasurable grace, a river that cannot be passed over.