Thanks Be To God
July/August 2013 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Thanks Be To God
In preparing this edition I was impressed by several things. The first one is God’s perfect assessment of the world today, even as the Spirit of God expressed it through the apostle Paul in the book of Romans nearly 1,960 years ago! The devastating judgment that awaits this world by the Most Holy God is very appropriate. But what about the loving character of God? We hear in the world, “How can He be loving if He is going to destroy the planet and send people to eternal punishment in hell?”
The second point provides an answer to this question. It is found wholly in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done on the cross. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 NASB). This work of His regarding man’s sin provides an initial taste of the good news – the gospel.
I was impressed by the Greek term God used in Scripture to describe the power of the gospel. Leaving that for you to discover as you read this magazine, I will only mention that it aptly describes the power that can readily change any person from one who wants nothing to do with God into one who is fit to be in His house. It is His work and His alone!
The articles this month remind us that a person must willingly accept God’s offer of salvation in order to receive its fruits. We may think of earthly gifts: we either leave them unopened where they lie or we accept, open and receive the blessing intended by the giver. Have you accepted God’s gift of salvation?
We are like children in our spiritual walk. But we have a perfect Father who continually shows us His love in a variety of ways. And believers are seen through the finished work of Christ as being fit to be in His presence even though we still struggle with sin in this world. This is truly amazing!
In respect to all that God had done for them, my grandparents had this verse engraved on their tombstone: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57 KJV). May each one of us thank Him while we more fully enjoy the abundance of His gift!
By Paul Alberts