[This is part 4 in a series. Part ONE is HERE]
Hear the words of Isaiah:
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (61:10, ESV)
Note: He has covered me
And Paul to the Ephesians:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (2:8-10, ESV)
And finally to the Romans:
Rom 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
As I reflect on these three texts, I am reminded of the glory of God alone as He has worked through Christ alone in His Grace so that I may be given that covering of righteousness. But this is not something I’ve earned, it is only through my faith in God.
(This is why it’s been said we should pray for and teach children to trust God before we worry about them loving God.)
The finished work of Christ is a gift from God to a needy humanity. When Jesus proclaimed “It is finished.” He was exclaiming that the debt man owed was paid.
No more animal sacrifices needed. The price was paid for me by Him. The tab was covered! It’s done! That’s grace!
Grace and Faith alone recognize that only God is able to do the work. Jesus has completed the work for us. Now, as Paul said:
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Rom. 12:3, ESV)
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