But for the Grace of God, There Go I

Recently I was talking with two work colleagues when one of them shared a sense of helplessness and frustration regarding her shortcomings and failures. My colleagues were surprised and encouraged when I freely declared that I am the most miserable failure as a person. In the past, I was a hopeless slave to many vices and, but for the grace of God, that's the person I am. It's the genetic disposition that I inherited from my parents, and they from their parents, and so on...

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing... Rom 7:18

Many outsiders to the faith form the opinion that Christians are good people by nature; that we were born with some altruistic tendency. The reality, however, could not be further from the truth.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Ps 51:5

As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one. Rom 3:10

The Christian who flows with Divine love and selfless service towards others is simply one who has, through faith, exchanged their sinful Adamic nature for the perfect life and nature of Christ Jesus. To the measure we live with our heads resting on Christ's bosom and drinking of His love; to that measure we become someone totally contrary to our natural disposition. 

The wholesome, pure, and lovely fragrance that people are drawn to in us ... is not us. It's the Spirit of Christ in us! We can take no credit for the Divine love shed abroad in our hearts. We are who we are, by the grace of God.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9

To look at ourselves and meditate on our own failings and weaknesses is demoralising. The older we get, the more we despair! Despite our best efforts, we just can't change who we are. As the saying goes, 'A leopard can't change its spots.' Or, 'Like father, like son,' as another saying goes. The good news is that coming to this realisation is actually the starting place for receiving the life-changing grace of God!

And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32

There is an incredible rest in freely accepting who we are, apart from the grace of God. Regardless of how stable and well-rounded we may seem to become as we journey with Christ, but for His grace, we are miserable wretches. We must never forget this. Self-righteousness is pride. And pride cuts us off from the very grace we need.

But he gives more grace. Therefore he says, God resisteth the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Jam 4:6

Paul was happy to refer to himself as the "chief" of sinners (1 Tim 1:15). He had no doubts about his shortcomings, apart from the grace of God. 

I think I know where Paul was coming from when he wrote this. You don't want to know Dylan Oakley, according to the flesh. I don't want to know him. If Jesus, our beautiful Saviour and Lord, can make something out of my life and flow His love through me, He can do the same for you.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20

The Perspicuity of Scripture

One of the liberating truths rediscovered during the Reformation is known as the Perspicuity of Scripture. Essentially, it means that the plain meaning of the scriptures is readily available to anyone who approaches the Bible with humility and faith. A special code is not required to understand the Bible; neither is a special priest. The ordinary believer, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is able to discover and submit himself to the simple and timeless truths contained in the written Word of God.

Jesus demonstrated, time and again, His devotion to the written Word. As His disciples, we too should maintain a high view of Scripture and expect it to enlighten, correct, train, and challenge us.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16

The deception in this late hour is intense. None of us should trust our intellect, our emotions, or our souls for navigation at this time. We shouldn’t trust our upbringing and certainly we shouldn’t trust the wisdom of this world. Rather, we should submit ourselves to the Word of Truth and allow our minds to be completely renewed.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:2

Be wary of any teaching that causes you to doubt the plain meaning of the Word of Truth. Deception always starts with the question, “Did God really say?” Deception starts with a doubting of God’s Word; a doubting of the plain meaning of the scriptures. It was with such a question that Satan led Eve into utter deception.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Gen 3:1

Deception starts with a questioning of the plain meaning of Scripture. “Did God really say…?” Without a high view of Scripture and a belief in its perspicuity, we can twist the scriptures to suit our own preferences. Once we start down that road, we will start fashioning the Word into our own image. We will use the Word to justify a sinful lifestyle choice, or to make ourselves more acceptable to our worldly associates, or we will abandon the Word altogether for our own private revelations.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 2 Tim 4:3

Beware of the temptation to abandon the plain meaning of Scripture for more exciting, private revelations or for more socially acceptable interpretations. Love and receive the Word in its simplicity, purity, and sharpness.

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9

I Plead the Precious Blood of Jesus

What does it mean to ‘plead the blood of Jesus?’ I often plead the precious blood of Jesus. Amazing power is released as we do this!

The power released when we plead the blood of Jesus is not because we have said some magic words. Likewise, when we pray ‘in the name of Jesus,’ it is not the use of magic or repetitive words that makes our prayers effective.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matt 6:7

So what is it to plead the blood of Jesus? While our confessions are important, pleading the blood of Jesus and offering our prayers in the name of Jesus have more to do with our hearts than with our words. It is when we understand and believe the simple truth behind pleading the blood of Jesus and praying in His name, that a world of answered prayer and Divine intervention opens to us.

Think back to when you were first born again. It is when we are first saved that we really understand what it means to plead the blood of Jesus. It is when we have nothing to offer God but brokenness and strife, confusion and shame that we throw ourselves wholly on His mercy and receive His grace. 

It is when we are bankrupt spiritually that we put all our hope and faith in Christ and receive of His riches. It is when we are acutely aware of our own failings and abysmal track record that we humbly receive strength from One who is altogether perfect and reliable. This is what it is to plead the blood of Jesus and to make our every appeal and request to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3

In the weeks following our salvation, Fiona and I experienced an exciting world of miracles, amazing answers to prayer, and incredible Divine connections. We moved in spiritual gifts without even knowing what they were! Even though we had nothing to offer Him, we believed the simple truth that God had washed us clean and received us and lavished us with His love and favour. We believed the simple truth behind pleading the blood and praying in the name of Jesus … before we even knew to confess those words!

To plead the blood of Jesus is to make no demands upon the blessings and provisions of God’s exciting Kingdom … apart from Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

To plead the blood of Jesus is to cry out for Daddy God’s intervention and help … on the merits of Christ alone.

To plead the blood of Jesus is to find shelter and protection behind the ‘Blood line,’ abandoning any personal claims of righteousness.

To plead the precious blood of Jesus is to draw on the power of Christ alone to save, heal, and deliver … resting completely in our identification and spiritual union with Him.

Labor to see the emptiness, shortness, and pollution that clings to man’s own righteousness. This also must in some measure be known before a man can know the nature of the love of Christ. John Bunyan (1692), The Saint’s Knowledge of Christ’s Love.

The god of this world and accuser of the brethren hates the blood of Jesus. For whoever pleads the Blood – understanding and believing the simple truth that Christ has become his righteousness – finds that Satan’s power and dominion is completely nullified. That’s why the devil’s most subtle device is not the temptation that appeals to sensual lusts but rather the temptation to commend oneself to God. To commend oneself to God is spiritual pride; it is to fall from grace. It is sheer folly.

How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:3

As rewarding and liberating as it is to pursue holiness, our progress in sanctification can never be the grounds for coming to the Father or receiving anything from Him. It is faith that pleases God; not self-righteousness. There is only One found worthy and it is as we locate ourselves in Him that we experience the fullness of the joy of the Kingdom. As we journey ever further along the pilgrim's road, let us treasure and guard carefully the simple Gospel truths we embraced as penitent sinners.

And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:13-14

Let us forever believe and confess that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. This is what it means to plead the blood of Jesus. This is what it means to pray in the name of Jesus.