Sinners Saved By Grace!

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death.

Paul is known as the Apostle of Grace. I have observed that some of the greatest Christians, like Paul, were some of the greatest sinners. I understand this is not always the case. Praise God for those people who grew up in Christian homes and believed from an early age and serve God with their whole hearts.

But when a low down, rotten, Christian persecuting, martyr-making sinner like Saul does a full 180 degree turn by God's grace and becomes a Gospel preaching, soul-winning machine like Paul, God's grace is showcased.

As Jesus said of the sinful woman turned grateful servant, "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Indeed, where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. And when the sin is greater, then grace is even much more so. The greater the wickedness of the sinner, the more amazing the efficacy of God’s grace.

I remember once preparing to preach a message in Mexico about God's amazing grace. The missionary forewarned me that such a concept wouldn't translate in their culture. He said that grace for them was a concept of God's gift that is truly wonderful, but to be expected rather than to be amazed with. It was easy enough to change the message to God's wonderful grace and it worked well. However, I felt sorry for them that they would not be blessed to live in constant amazement that they are targets of God's great grace.

That we are all sinners is undeniable. But those who receive Christ as Savior becoming beneficiaries of grace, God's unmerited favor to us wicked sinners, is unfathomable! To me, as with Saul/Paul, grace is the greatest concept in the universe. It is the most amazing act of the most gracious Being Who condescended to the most undeserving recipients.

I thank God that I am a sinner saved by grace.