“Grace is Christ’s portrait drawn on the soul.”
–Thomas Watson,
Another one of Rev. Newcome’s key questions was, “What graces do I want?” Or another way of phrasing it, “In what areas could I better reflect and develop the character of Jesus Christ?” The grace of God not only matures in Christ, it also provides the motivation for our maturation. We long to be like Jesus because of one of God’s most gracious gifts—the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. It is God’s grace that begins and continues the mighty work of salvation. As the apostle Paul instructed Titus: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13, ESV)
It is the grace of God that shapes our spiritual lives. It is God’s grace that teaches us about the very evil nature of sin. John Hart noted, “Nature may teach a man to loathe sin in others, but ’tis only grace that teacheth us to abhor sin in ourselves.” [John Hart, Christ’s First Sermon, 15.] Grace loves to examine and it loves to be examined. Grace is always working to reveal our true spiritual condition to ourselves. And what is grace revealing? Grace is revealing our need and God’s provision. Are you proud? The grace of God will make that known and then draw your attention to the humility of Jesus Christ. Are you growing cold in your love? The grace of God will bring to your attention the warm-hearted, other-centered love of Jesus Christ. Are you impatient? The grace of God will place you in certain circumstances where patience will need to be developed and exercised.
Grace teaches us to turn away from a life devoted to the flesh and to live in a godly and Spirit-surrendered way. Paul encouraged the Galatians, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV) Do you belong to Jesus Christ? If so, then the power or dominion of sin, but not its presence, is broken in your life and you have, by God’s grace, the ability to keep in step with the Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit today to draw the portrait of Christ on your soul, that is, to help you conform more closely to the image and character of Jesus. Have a blessed week and we will see you on Sunday at the barn.
Your friend and servant in the concerns of your soul,
Pastor Dale