THE COURTSHIP THAT SAVES
By Frank Tunstall, D. Min.
The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a ministry of courtship. The Holy Spirit woos and draws people one by one to the heart of the Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Because of this magnetic love, people recognize their desperate need.
This courtship makes a person certain: “My life is not on the right path and I know it. I’m living in rebellion against God and will never be able to get on the right road unless the man on the middle cross helps me.”
Many have trouble believing Jesus will forgive them – especially them. But it is the work of the Holy Spirit to whet a person’s appetite and convince him if he repents Jesus will forgive him. Blessing of blessings! When we decide to believe God’s Word, accept the offer of His grace, and then repent, we will be forgiven. This is the essence of the grace that saves.
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 1:6).
The Heavenly Father chose us in Christ “before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The result is the “very goodness of the Father draws us to Jesus” (Romans 2:4). In fact, “the Father made us accepted in the beloved” to the praise of His glory.
At Calvary we look into the face of pure love expressed in the countenance of Jesus.
Please dear reader, please look at Him! Please, please look at Him!
See Him hanging on His bloody cross just for you.
Jesus’ crucifixion is all about His suffering shame and agony because He loves you! As our eyes meet His, we discover the strength to admit how wicked we really are. After all, it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross.
As we look at the spectacle of Calvary we are filled with remorse and feel our guilt. The gaze is enough to motivate us to want to get the help only God can give – forgiveness for the sins of yesterday, and an inoculation of grace never to do it again. But if we do slip, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, mighty to save! (1 John 2:1).
Think about it: God always meets repentance with forgiveness. Always. That’s what makes it love. This reality is the crown jewel of Christian faith. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A. D.) wrote, “The grace of Christ is not rendered for any merits, but is given gratis, on account of which it is also called grace.”
