It's God's Grace that goes to bat for us.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Heard about a man having a dream one night that he and the Lord was watching a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."
The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love. The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass. Ball one.
Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to His friend and told him He was now going to bring in His star player.
Up to the plate stepped Grace. His friend said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground. The roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence for a home run!
The Lord's team won!
The Lord then asked His friend if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. His said, that he didn't know why. The Lord said, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you home. (Author unknown)
As long as mankind has been around there has never been an illustration or definition of God's grace that stays in the heart until it takes root and begins to grow. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
So, how does the understanding of grace grow?...Answer: in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That is how to understand the full meaning of grace..reading the gospel..praying for understanding...meditating on it.
What is the gospel? It is what God did for us by being born a man name Jesus. Fulfilling a sacrificial debt that we owed for our sins but, He paid for everyone's Himself by being born as a baby with one purpose and that was to die an innocence man to pay that debt of sin for us.....a spotless Lamb lead to slaughter for your sins and mine. It is a free gift for the asking. That is also the definition of grace!
There are many that ask Christ in their hearts and believe and are saved but, never grow in the knowledge of the meaning of grace....what happens? They began to feel guilty for their sin again because they never came to understand just what the grace of God means...never had much fellowship with God...they have the relationship but, no fellowship unless something happens in their life and they need Him again.
But, most of the time those people will go back to doing the things they use to do and then what happens?....they feel they are lost again...it was God who heard us crying out to Him...it was Him that found us..it is God who will keep us..it is God's grace that will take us home!
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com
