Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to reflect on the boundless grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We live in a world where we often think we must earn everything we receive. But the gift of salvation and the grace that comes with it are unmerited, undeserved, and unearned. It is a gift given freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
I. The Unmerited Grace of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- God’s love for us is unconditional, and He offers His grace freely to everyone.
- We cannot earn salvation through our works, but only through faith in Jesus Christ.
In Ellen G. White’s book “Steps to Christ,” she emphasizes the unmerited grace of Christ and how it is central to our salvation.
Here is a passage that speaks to the unmerited grace of Christ, aligning with Ephesians 2:8-9: “Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love. ‘Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’ ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.'” (Steps to Christ, p. 34)
This passage highlights that Christ’s grace is freely given to us, but we must choose to accept it. Our salvation is not based on our works or merit, but on the unmerited grace of Christ that He offers to everyone who believes in Him.
Additionally, Ellen White writes in “Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing”: “Through the same faith, we may receive spiritual healing. By sin, we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves, we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking. Many realize their helplessness; they are longing for that spiritual life which will bring them into harmony with God, and are striving to obtain it. But in vain. In despair they cry, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ Romans 7:24, margin. Let these desponding, struggling ones look up. The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, ‘Wilt thou be made whole?’ He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe the Saviour’s word. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 84-85)
This passage reiterates that we are unable to live a holy life by ourselves and emphasizes the importance of accepting Christ’s unmerited grace through faith, which will bring spiritual healing and restore our connection with God.
II. The Undeserved Sacrifice of Christ (Isaiah 53:4-6)
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
- Jesus willingly took upon Himself the punishment for our sins.
- He bore the fullness of the Father’s wrath, allowing us to be reconciled to God.
“The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes; those hands so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those feet so tireless on ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that royal head pierced by the crown of thorns; those quivering lips shaped to the cry of woe. And all that He endured—the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father’s face—speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death and opens the gates of Paradise. He who stilled the angry waves and walked the foam-capped billows, who made devils tremble and disease flee, who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life,—offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this from love to thee.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 755)
III. The Unearned Gift of Eternal Life (John 3:16)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- God’s love is so great that He sent His Son to die for us so that we might live.
- The gift of eternal life is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ and accept His grace.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us never forget the priceless gift of grace that Jesus has freely given to us. It is unmerited, undeserved, and unearned. We are called to accept this gift with open hearts and to share it with others, so they too may experience the love and mercy of our Savior. Let us pray for God’s Spirit to empower us to be faithful witnesses, holding fast to the testimony of Jesus Christ and the grace He offers to each one of us. May the message of the unmerited, undeserved, and unearned grace of Jesus Christ be our guiding light as we continue our journey towards the eternal kingdom. Amen.
karambi