GOD’S GRACE

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, let us reason together,"

says the Lord.

"Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

                 When I got up this morning it was snowing. According to the national weather service we could expect up to 4” of snow today. I very much enjoy it when it snows. A good snowfall can transform our world. It covers the ground with a soft blanket of white, which covers all that lies beneath. Anyone who lives in a place that gets snow, understands that after a while the snow gets dirty. It loses its luster and becomes dull. A new snowfall brightens things back up. It refreshes the world.

                As I was thinking of the snow this morning, it reminded me of God’s grace. Isaiah recorded God’s promise to those who look to Him. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” God’s grace is like new fallen snow. As we go through life, sin dirties our landscape. What was pure becomes soiled and dull. But God’s grace covers our sin. He renews us on a daily basis. Each day becomes a fresh start. As the book of Lamentations informs us, Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

                A new snowfall is a gift that lifts my spirits. The world is brighter and cleaner after a new snowfall. A beautiful blanket of snow on the lawn actually makes winter more tolerable. I am invigorated by a good snowstorm. I don’t even mind cleaning the driveway, (although I do get a little nervous when I have to drive in snow). For me, the worst kind of winter is the one that is brown and bare, with no snow.

                God’s grace brightens up our lives. It gives us new energy to face the challenges of life. It invigorates our spirits. It embraces us in the blanket of God’s love.

                The thing about a new snowfall is that it doesn’t last. Eventually the fresh snow will become crusty and dull again. In due time, it will melt, revealing all that has been concealed under it.

                God’s grace, on the other hand, never diminishes. We can fail to recognize God’s grace, which makes it look like it has gone, but in reality, it is still there. What makes it seem like the grace of God has melted is our taking it for granted. When we presume upon God’s grace, we sully it.

                Every time there is a significant snowfall, we are warned to be careful when we drive. Yet often people presume upon their abilities to handle the snow, and end up in a ditch. When we presume upon God’s grace we can end up in the ditch. It seems that there were some in Paul’s day that thought that they could take God’s grace for granted. They continued in their sinful lifestyle, assuming that God’s grace would cover over their sin. But Paul warned them, and us, that that was a dangerous course of action.

    What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1-2)

                God’s grace is truly amazing. There are no limits to God’s grace. But there are limits to our experiencing God’s grace. We can block God’s grace in our lives by not taking it seriously.

                The snow is falling harder now. The blanket of white continues to grow. The grace of God continues to fall as well. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that God’s grace will transform our lives. Throughout our lives there will be times when we fail to recognize God’s grace. But we can be sure that, if we turn to Him, God’s grace will cover all of our sin.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 13:14

    May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.