The wonderful grace of Jesus

I loved to sing it as a child. With each passing year, I appreciate its message even more. I can't recall who wrote the great hymn, but I do recall the message and most of the words:

"The wonderful grace of Jesus,

Greater than all my sin.

How shall my tongue describe it?

Where shall its praise begin?

Purchasing peace and heaven,

For all eternity.

Oh, the wonderful grace of Jesus,

Reaches me."

Since "all have sinned" and since "the wages of sin is death," all would perish apart from an act of God. That act of God was the cross of Christ. Because He bore our sins in His body, He was condemned to die upon the tree. "He was pierced for our transgressions." At the cross, the justice of God is satisfied and the love of God is demonstrated. Here is the wonderful grace of Jesus. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

His love is unconditional. "God so loved the world." His grace is undeserved. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." His salvation is available to all who will avail themselves to Him.

Christ is inclusive. His love, grace and salvation are available to all who respond to Him.

Paul suggests the proper response to the wonderful grace of Jesus: "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again." Again Paul writes, "I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices."

How can we do less?

- Ken Haskins is pastor of First Christian Church in Carson City and member of the Carson City Christian Ministerial Fellowship.