"Grace Is..." (Part 2)

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Philippians 4:20-23 NIV).

Today, we come to our first principle in understanding the fullness of grace: It is based in the fatherhood of God. Look again at the beginning of our reading today. The spontaneous outburst of praise from the apostle is deeply emotional. He uses a plural pronoun. God is not merely Paul’s God; He is OUR God. Further, He is our Father.

I really wish I could spend some personal time with each of you discussing this one truth. It is central for me. I believe there is nothing that can change a human being like the knowledge of the fatherhood of God. It changes both the heart and the mind. Some of us miss this point because our frame of reference is our earthly parents. Some have had wonderful parents who knew how to follow the example of Christ in every way. However, there are many others who have not. Let me be quick to add that God is different. Even the best of parents can not measure up to the wonder of God’s grace and love.

Perhaps the most notable characteristic of that wonder is in God’s “yes-face.” I have never seen God, but I know he must have such a face. We need to draw a contrast between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day to adequately understand this truth. Jesus was surrounded by religious men who devoted their lives to putting and keeping people in bondage through their thousands of laws and ritual regulations. He was constantly confronted with men who quoted the law of God rather than proclaim the grace of the Father. Their faces shouted “NO!” In this world, full of darkness and impossible demands, rules and regulations, requirements and expectations demanded by hypocritical religious leaders, Jesus came and ministered in a different way. Jesus came and showed them the face of a Father who knew every need and had the resources to completely provide for every one in great abundance!

No wonder that Paul, in his last farewell to this church, begins with praise for the God who has set him free. Though he wore the chains of Roman bondage, his heart was free. Nothing, not man, nor spirit, could return him to that bondage. Jesus had secured his freedom from all of that! All of that took place in grace! As a perfect Father, God has provided all that we can even imagine we need. He so perfectly knows and loves us that His provision is in place before we have need. That’s how He sets us free! He shows us His “yes” face! Isn’t it time for you to come to that face? Believe me, it is so much better! Come today!