“The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1.7.)
Introduction. As Isaiah spoke more of Christ than any other prophet, so Paul proclaimed the grace of God more than any other apostle. Not that we are at liberty to prefer one apostle over another. But Paul outstripped them all in declaring the grace that brings salvation. The sense of grace pervades his thoughts. He sees grace going before his conversion, attributes his ministry to grace, etc. Ministers who contend most for free, sovereign, unconditional grace are those who before conversion were gross sinners, like Bunyan and Newton. Strange indeed that God would have it so.
(1) The Riches of his Grace. In the riches of grace there are mines too deep for man to fathom. In men, grace may grow into a habit. But God is gracious by nature. Grace is as necessary to his being as are the attributes of omnipotence and omniscience. Since every attribute of God is infinite, his grace is without bounds. He has grace enough to give anything and everything to the very chief of sinners. As his knowledge comprehends all, so his grace comprehends all the sins, trials, and infirmities of the people his heart is set upon. All that has been taken out of God’s mine of grace has not diminished his store by a particle. Come to the glittering treasury of divine grace. It is called the Covenant, written, signed, sealed, and ratified from old eternity by the Sacred Three. The Father willed to save his chosen; the Son agreed to bleed and die to satisfy justice; the Holy Spirit agreed to quicken, preserve, sanctify, and perfect those called by grace. God has led us to inspect mightier trophies than the monuments of ancient kings. Some trophies of grace come from harlotry, some from taverns, and some from shedding innocent blood. I see the men that nailed the Saviour to the tree. The neighbor you are sitting beside might be a trophy. I think God is gracious when I see others saved. I know he is because he saved me, a wayward, willful boy. The queen of Sheba was amazed at the sumptuousness of Solomon’s table. But just one saint requires so much grace for one day that only the Infinite can supply. And there are many saints, for many years, century upon century, race after race, all drinking to the full and living on the fullness of God in Christ. Even though the broken meat at God’s back door of grace would be enough, saints are all fed like Mephibosheth. And look how God’s people are clothed, each one with a robe divine and complete, better than Adam’s righteousness, and with a drop of blood in every throw of the shuttle.
(2) The Forgiveness of Sins. The treasure of God’s grace is the measure of our forgiveness. God is as happy to give as we are to receive. Man sometimes forgives ungraciously. When God forgives he draws the mark through every sin, past and future. And when God forgives, he not only forgives all, but once for all. He never punishes afterwards, like a judge, though he chastises like a father. You would perhaps give your first-born as payment to be forgiven. But forgiveness is freely offered. Only acknowledge your sin and put your trust in Christ.
(3) The Blessed Privileges which Follow. You will have peace of conscience. Instead of thinking of God as a consuming fire, you will feel as if you can talk to him as a friend. You will fear no hell. Even sinning daily, you will feel your sins atoned for. You will know that Jesus was punished instead of you. You will expect heaven. You will know that sudden death is sudden glory.
Selection from Conclusion. “There is faith, dear brothers and sisters; may we all have it and receive forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. Amen.”
