AMAZING GRACE

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

When considering the human condition one cannot help think of how miserable it is. People have disregarded the divine will by rebelling against God. They have brought upon themselves the wrath of God. As a consequence of man's lack of moral restraint, society is plagued with disease and despair. From the beginning of human existence the world has been made subject to chaos as a result of man's arrogant disobedience to his Creator. Paul captures this pathetic picture in his letter to the Romans 8:20. "For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but because of Him who subjected it."

The world was made subject to decay and destruction (2 Pet. 3:10-13), because of man's failure to abide in the will of God. Genesis 3 contains the record of man's fall due to sin. The violation brought upon those involved God's curse. The serpent or Satan will be destroyed, the woman will multiply her pains in child-birth, the man will have to work by the sweat of his brow his whole life to provide the necessities of life, and all of mankind will decay to the point of dust, returning back to the ground. Again, the earth, though not a part of the rebellion, was also cursed (Gen. 3:17).

Death was the ultimate curse placed upon mankind. Paul stated, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all have sinned"(Rom. 5:12). Man, because of his rebellion, had everything coming to him that he deserved. At any point in time, God would have be just in destroying man. Instead, God had brought upon his only begotten son the wrath that mankind so much deserved, (1 Pet. 2:21-25). In this act of mercy and love, God's grace was born. What His grace accomplishes is truly amazing. Read Romans 5:12-21.

As you come to terms with God's grace, you must recognize that you are utterly sinful, in need of God's grace. You will certainly look forward to the time when God's curse is lifted. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).