A Lofty Declaration

God is Gracious

They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” Luke 22:70

We all have experienced the salesperson who makes elaborate promises with little downside or cost to us, but experience tells us not to believe in anything that is too good to be true.

But what about Christ’s claim to be the Son of God, sent to earth as part of God’s redemptive plan to pay the penalty for all the sins of mankind without cost to anyone? Does it sound too good to be true? Shouldn’t we owe something or someone to be forgiven? How do we come to accept this truth? And while the answer is simple, it is not simply accepted. Much debate can occur among ourselves and within ourselves as we struggle with accepting Jesus as the Messiah. But the simple answer is it is by faith that we believe. And it is only by faith that we are saved.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:1, 6

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

Because God is gracious, through faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven.