“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mat 11:28-30
The good news message of Jesus Christ and of God’s kingdom is described in a variety of ways in the Scriptures—as the “power of God unto salvation,” the “gospel of grace,” the “eternal gospel,” the “gospel of Christ,” a “mystery,” and as the “gospel of God.” Of course, it is all of these… and much more.
According to at least one expert of the ancient Greek language in which the New Testament was written, the word “euangelion,” translated into English as the “good news” or “gospel,” carries with it the connotation that is not just “good news” but it is such good news that it’s almost “too good to be true.” Because it carries that implication, researchers have found that the word “euangelion” was used only very rarely in ancient manuscripts other than the writings of the New Testament. The reason for this is obvious: there really wasn’t much outside of God’s kingdom that could be considered good news that’s “almost too good to be true!”
Most Christians have little idea as to how much they have underestimated the supernatural grace that God has showered, and continues to pour out, on his children. If we fail to renew our minds with his Word or respond to it in any other way than in faith, we will end up living far below what God has planned for us. To the unrenewed mind, which is governed by human reasoning and natural understanding, the grace of God simply is too good to be true. The gospel message can’t be that easy or simple. There must be some “catch” to it.
But Scripture is quite clear about the “gospel of grace”:
- God has reconciled sinful man, including you and me, to himself at the cross of Calvary.
- Once we become reconciled to him by receiving his son as our Savior and Lord:
- He gives us his precious Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us
- His favor is upon us
- His resurrection power resides within us
- We are granted spiritual authority in this earth
- We are provided with “everything that pertains to life and godliness”
- All our needs are supplied “through his riches in glory”
- And the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit
These truths are at the very heart of the “gospel of grace.” What could we ever do to deserve such royal treatment? Receive God’s son by faith and enter into a personal relationship with God the Father. We should also accept the invitation that Jesus gave to the Galileans to “learn of him”—and, if we do, we’ll find that the heavy burdens of life weighing us down will be lifted. Being instructed by the Master in the school of the Holy Spirit will also open up the supernatural realm of God’s grace such that it becomes an everyday reality.
Friend, whether you realize it or not, God has your interests at heart and wants only the very best for you. That’s why He gave his son to die in your place—to cancel a sin-debt that you could not pay and set you free from the power of sin.
Learn of him and grow in your understanding of his good news: that God’s grace is sufficient to supply for your every need and that He is always generous in every way. Don’t make the mistake of low-rating the grace of God and his benefits. It’s all part of the “package deal”—and it’s called the gospel of grace!
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Each one of us needs to grow in our appreciation of the incomparable power and riches of the gospel of grace. Why not take the time right now to ask your heavenly Father to increase your understanding:
“Heavenly Father, I ask that you give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. I pray that the eyes of my heart be enlightened so I may know what is the hope of my calling, what are the glorious riches of your inheritance in me, and the immeasurable greatness of your power toward me, according to the working of your mighty strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
This request to the Father is adapted from a prayer the apostle Paul prayed for the believers at the church of Ephesus, as recorded in Ephesians 1:17-19. Wisdom would have each one of us meditate regularly upon the words of this prayer and to wholeheartedly seek the Lord for its fulfillment. It is a powerful prayer that, if prayed in faith, you can expect to see answered in ways beyond your imagination— with 100% certainty.
May the Lord bless you abundantly!
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Until the next time, walk in the Spirit… and be a blessing!
Dr. Peter