Moment of Grace

This is an amazing scripture. Paul declares to them the gospel that he preached to them years ago . . . and affirms that this same gospel is still at work in their lives, saving them as they stand in it.

What is this powerful gospel Paul preached to them? He tells us in 1 Cor. 2:1-2: "And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED."

The gospel that Paul preached was the message of the cross: Who Jesus was and is - the Son of God; and What He accomplished on the cross. The world does not understand it. Many in the church do not understand it, but Paul tells us that the cross of Jesus is the wisdom of God and the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:24)

The message of the cross is the gospel. It is where God poured out His love for you and me. To those who understand, it is a never-ending source of grace and healing. “God so loved the world, that He gave his only son, that whoever trusts in him should not perish, but have life that never ends” John 3:16 (author’s translation).

God gave us the most precious thing He could give us, Himself, in human form. He walked among us healing and loving us. And how did we respond? We rejected him, spat upon him, whipped him, mocked him and killed him in the cruelest manner known to man at that time. Yet, from the cross, Jesus forgave us. If he can forgive us from the cross, there is not a person alive who cannot receive his love and acceptance. This is GRACE!

When people talk about the gospel, they usually think about something in the past. Maybe they heard a sermon or radio program and were moved to pray. Maybe their life changed, but that was something that happened long ago. The gospel no longer seems relevant to them.

But the gospel is still relevant. IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORD THAT WE CAN HEAR EACH DAY. Paul tells them that the message of the gospel is still working in their lives. They are standing in it and it is saving them now. The word “saved” is in the present, continuous tense. In other words, we are BEING SAVED NOW as we stand in the gospel.

The gospel is the word of God’s love and grace. That grace has the power to heal, forgive, deliver and restore any life. It is the most powerful force in the universe.

Take time each day to receive it. Keep standing in the gospel, the promise of Gods love and forgiveness. Receive it, respond to it, allow it to shape your life.