The Greatness of Grace

Since the title of this blogspot is "By His Grace Alone " it seems fitting to include musings on the matter of divine sovereign grace. I can safely assume that all genuine believers have some understanding of the grace of God. However, observation has taught us that, over the years, man has attempted to twist that grace in various ways. It is apparent that many in the present age find it difficult to accept the truth of divine sovereign election. Therefore, I post the following from Barnhouse's commentary on Romans 8:17.

"One of the hardest lessons for man to learn is that everything that God does for us is by grace. Man is so eager to have some credit for his blessings that it is difficult for him to admit to his utter spiritual bankruptcy. This is all the more true because of the teaching of some who make salvation conditional on something that man does, even if it is nothing more than 'accepting.' If you will search your own heart you will probably find traces to that legalistic spirit. Man cannot understand that God, in His sovereign love, stoops over a lost race, dead in trespasses and sins, totally responsible, yet totally incapable of doing anything about it, and that He decides to quicken some of His creatures and make them sons. If it be asked why He does not quicken all, we reply that the Bible does not give any answer to this question. We are simply left to trust Him who does all things well and who never makes any mistakes. The facts are there. Men fight these facts but they cannot change them. There is nothing good in any of us that could recommend us to God. Then if He makes a division in the human race He must do it on some principle that is found in Himself. It surely is not whim, even though it may appear thus to unholy minds, incapable of receiving spiritual things."

May we marvel in and rest in His Grace Alone.