The Grace that Saves Us

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips” (Luke 22:66-71).

Here is a climactic encounter between priests, scribes, and Jesus Christ. Those responsible for the spiritual growth of God’s children are brought face to face with God’s Son. These men were supposed to prepare the hearts of the people to recognize and receive the Messiah, yet in this moment they came face to face with the Christ, and they themselves could not believe in Him. Despite several firsthand encounters with the His authoritative teaching and miracle working power, they could not acknowledge Him, even if He personally confirmed His true identity to them. In fact, Jesus turned the tables and reminded them that they had already accused Him of being the Son of God. In this close encounter with Christ we are reminded of the total depravity of sinful mankind, and of our desperate need for God’s grace that we might believe in His Son, Jesus Christ… “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Today we are reminded that the difference between us and the unbelieving world around us is the grace that saves us.

Personal contact with Christ is not enough. Christ lives in the heart of every truly born-again believer… “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). Every time we speak His name, share His word, and offer His love, people are confronted with Jesus. Just like the religious leaders of His day, those confronted with Jesus today will not believe in Him unless the grace of God frees them to… “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5).

Powerful confrontation with Christ is not enough. His accusers had witnessed His miracles. Most recently Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead! Still, they did not believe He was the Son of God. Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, most people in our day deny the evidence of God’s creative and redemptive power all around us… “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). God’s grace enables us to believe in Jesus Christ even when we do not see His supernatural power… “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Public confession of Christ is not enough. Jesus reminded His accusers that they had previously confessed that He is the Son of God. However, such a confession does not indicate saving faith as even the demons and unclean spirits acknowledge the same… “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). In another discourse, Jesus prophesied that many would publicly confess His name but not trust Him as Savior and be saved… “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23). Confessing that we are hopeless sinners apart from the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is evidence that our heart and mind have been transformed by His grace… “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10). Only grace enabled faith saves us.

As we grow up into Christ, we better recognize, revere, and reflect…

The Grace that Saves Us.