Grace & Spiritual Impotence

How have you helped him who is without power? How have you saved the arm that has no strength? (Job 26:2) . . . Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:5-6).

The myth of modern religion, even among those claiming to be Evangelical Christians, is that we have the power to repair our own personal relationship with God by putting Him in a position where He cannot say ‘no’ to us. This, in part, is a carry-over from pagan religions whose adherents believed they could appease the wrath of their gods by multiplying their sacrifices or by offering them greater, more valuable gifts. It is also, in part, a characteristic of our modern culture that would have us believe anything can be had through bargaining and compromise.

Some have prayed, “Lord, if you get me out of this foxhole (or name your particular crisis), I’ll serve you for the rest of my life.” A verse from a song from my childhood went like this, “When she reaches that river - Lord, you know what she's worth - give her that mansion up yonder 'cause she's been through hell here on earth. Lord, give her my share of Heaven if I've earned any here in this life, 'cause God, I believe she deserves it - my woman, my woman, my wife.” Thank you, Marty Robbins, but that’s not how salvation works.

God does not save us based on our promises, our sacrifices, our good intentions, or our respectability. “Not the labors of my hands can fulfill Thy law’s demands; could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee” (Augustus Toplady).

(Romans 3:19-20) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. In other words, we are powerless to rid ourselves of the guilt of sin. The rich young man (Matthew 19:16-20) thought he could, but Jesus proved him otherwise. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and, The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

“To mend our own relationship with God, regaining God’s favour [sic] after having once lost it, is beyond the power of any one of us. And one must see and bow to this before one can share the biblical faith in God’s grace” (J. I. Packer). Well said.

“Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace that has rescued a sinful person like me. Spiritually dead in trespasses and sin. Alienated from You because of sin. Forever condemned to hell as a result of my sin. Powerless to do anything about it. But through Jesus Christ You have saved me by Your gifts of grace and faith. I am eternally grateful to You, Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Pastor