Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
As a grandparent, it is fun to hear our children point out all the things, the grandbabies did, ‘all by themselves.‘ With wonder and exuberant voices, the description of the antics and monumental feats the babies have accomplished in their very short time from birth is awe-inspiring. We are told with a wide-eyed wonderment that the child is climbing out of the crib once the lights are out, scaling the bookshelf, and emptying the cabinets of all the pots and pans during the crawling stage. These grandiose achievements are reported and documented like the biggest world events going on in our time. “She did it, all by herself, and he did it, all by himself,” is the admiration being expressed. And why not be excited, they are our prodigy. Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
Our Heavenly Father says the same thing when it comes to the finished work of the cross where Jesus gave His life. There is total agreement from God the Father and the Holy Spirit, saying that Jesus Christ by Himself saved mankind with His own precious blood. Heb. 1:3b When he had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. There is nothing we can do to enhance the work Christ accomplished through His sacrifice. It was God’s idea, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus saved our souls. The Godhead put their perfect salvation plan together and there is nothing we can add to it. All we can do is accept this amazing grace-filled gift of our Lord’s salvation. Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
All by Himself, Jesus Christ put His life on the cross, that we could have an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father. Throughout the scriptures, God makes it very clear that mankind cannot do anything in himself to measure up to God’s standard of holiness. No amount of manmade works or sacrificial output could meet the requirements of an acceptable sacrifice to take away the sins of mankind. God has always said to look to Him and no other for salvation. Isa. 45:22 Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Charles Spurgeon had a wonderful understanding of our Lord’s grace and salvation. His simple statement of “Look to Christ and live,” says it all. His realization of (not by works are you saved) was made clear to Charles. He expressed that all we could do from our fallen state was – look to Jesus. Everything else was mankind’s mangled attempt at working for salvation. I just love the simplicity of this insight. Look to Christ and live, is all I can do to be accepted by The Mighty God of all creation. Wow! No wonder Jesus said, Matt. 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus knew what heaviness man was carrying within his soul. The need to be accepted by God but not knowing how to get there.
Jesus could see all the human effort that was going into trying to save themselves had become a tiresome, laborious burden in life because God’s requirements could not be met or even found. Salvation was a mystery hidden in Christ. Therefore, the Lord’s statement “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” must have been a refreshing balm within the souls of all who truly heard Him. A confident awakening would have been realized because the words Jesus was using had life. Prov. 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
By Himself, Jesus endured the punishment and shame of the cross so that I would not have to go there. By looking to Jesus, I became crucified with Him. The Lord’s work is my eternal reward. Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Yes, in a similar way that we smile at our children’s accomplishments, our Heavenly Father smiles at His son Jesus, because by Himself, He secured our eternal inheritance. Thank you, Jesus, that we can lay down our striving and burdens at your scarred feet. What a wonderful saviour we have. Amen!
Thank you, Don
Great post, Norm.
Amen!