Monday, July 27, 2020

Orange Moon Cafe Part 8 - The Ages To Come, the Moment at Hand

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

 

(Friends: yesterday's message indicated the conclusion of this series.  However, I have decided to continue the consideration for several more days.  Thanks, Glen)

 

  "Why Grace?" 

 

Part 8 - The Ages To Come, the Moment at Hand

    

    Grace blesses us in both its eternality and its present availability.

 

    "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).

 

   As we suggested at the beginning of this series of messages, eternity will not suffice in fully discovering the wonder of God's freely given favor in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Note in the passage above that our Heavenly Father will "in the ages to come show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."  Thus, born again believers look forward to a forever of lovingkindness.  By definition, however, "the ages to come" begin in this moment.  God offers and bestows His grace now to those who will receive it by faith in the Lord Jesus.  "We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

 

    How do we need our Father's grace in this moment?  He knows perfectly.  We may know at least partially.  We therefore do well to direct our hearts unto the Heavenly "throne of grace" that beckons us to come and "to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).  Again, we many come now, in this moment of "the ages to come."  Grace is presently offered.  Grace is presently available.  Grace is presently assured to the trusting heart.  In the present tense, the Apostle Paul assured, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you" (II Corinthians 9:8).

 

   The most faithful and the most failing saint may come to the blessedly titled "Throne of grace."  A humble, trusting heart is all that is required.  Whatever the need, the crucified and risen Christ who sits on the Throne is perfectly able to supply.  In times of faithfulness, we come to give Him all glory for the grace He provides for obedience.  In times of failure, we come for forgiveness, cleansing, and a fresh infusion of obedience-empowering grace.  Thus, this very moment beckons us to the only Heavenly throne we can access, and the only one we need.  Our Savior delights in our coming to avail ourselves of His grace, and no better opportunity presents itself than this moment at hand, of the ages to come.

 

"Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father… hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace."

(II Thessalonians 2:16)

 

Weekly Memory Verse

    We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(Romans 5:2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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