God's Gift Of Grace
Oh, how great God’s gift of grace, that’s so mercifully bestowed on all who such seek,
A heavenly grace that doesn’t differentiate between the strong and the weak.
In other words, salvation for sinners, who contritely upon the Father call,
Yes, an amazing way of escape, that love and mercy set in place before the Fall.
No other way to secure eternity, and a home in Heaven, can be found,
Therefore, any who disagree with such, are holding to something that's most unsound,
For given our fallen condition, we wouldn't have a hope of making the grade,
As our best is still unworthy, hence why Christ that penalty and debt met and paid.
Yes, what our Saviour did on that cross at Calvary, is the only thing that can save,
In other words, Christ's sacrificial act -- it has nothing to do with how we behave.
It's the acceptance of God’s grace that saves, and it’s right at that moment that we’re saved,
For works cannot and don’t play a part here, despite some having thus foolishly slaved.
On the other hand, once having accepted God's grace, we shouldn't just there remain,
For God intended that from that very point, rebellion in our lives no longer reign.
You see, accepting God's grace is one thing, but if just there it selfishly ends with us,
We’ve effectively just taken a ticket and not bothered to get on the bus.
Though we’re undoubtedly saved by grace alone, our God desires us free of all sin,
Therefore, via studying His Ten Commandments, we can see where He wants us to begin.
In other words, His Law shows us the standard of conduct that Christians should display,
A standard that He has always desired His people live up to, and no less today.
After all, it's because this unchangeable moral Law could not be set aside,
That Christ came to Earth, lived a life of perfect obedience, and on Calvary died.
And therefore, He wants us to obey this law too, but He wants it kept out of love,
Which we out of gratitude and wisdom should attempt, aided via strength from above.
And hence why He very graciously sent the Holy Spirit when He ascended,
Who helps to bring about those changes that are needed, and what Christ desires rendered.
Even though Christ paid our debt in full, He knows that obedience and change will show
Just how much we truly appreciate the depths to which He willingly chose to go.
After all, if we don’t attempt to keep God’s Law, we gross ingratitude thus show
Giving little thought to all that He did on our behalf when here on Earth below.
Though it’s He, via the Holy Spirit, who changes us, we still have our part to play,
Via receptively allowing Him to do His work within our hearts every day.
Because our Saviour is so forgiving, there are many who with His grace just play,
But He is also a God of justice, and in due time, justice will have its day.
Even though His gift of grace is free, He didn't intend that His grace be abused,
For let's face it, just selfishly taking grace alone, simply sees our Saviour used.
And hence why it clearly states in Scripture, that if God’s moral Law isn’t obeyed
We will thereby nullify His grace in our lives, and the penalty that He paid.
Not because obedience saves, let me quickly add, but simply because it’s the fruit
The fruitage that shows that it's His will we do, and not just that which ourselves will suit.
You see, God needs to see that we’re genuine, that we truly do mean what we say,
Which the keeping of His Ten Commandments -- willingly, that is -- will clearly convey.
For as I mentioned, even though God knows that only grace can release us from our plight,
He never intended for one moment that grace free us from doing what is right.
No, such amazing grace doesn’t give us licence to just do whatever we please,
But rather, it daily empowers -- in fact, moment by moment -- and from sin's hold it frees.
Therefore, gratitude should spring from our joyful hearts, and have us falling to our knees,
Thanking and praising our Saviour, whose amazing love, saw Him go to such degrees.
By Lance Landall
(refer to diagram below - you may have to wait for it to appear)
You may also wish to read the following poems "Once Saved, Always Saved", "A Deep Conversation", "Grace And Obedience", "Balancing Grace".
