EPISODE 848 – THE GOODNEWS OF GRACE IN AN EVIL WORLD 2

It’s interesting how people don’t see God’s judgement against evil as a demonstration of His goodness. The goal of every evil work is to destroy. Judgement against evil stops the destructive work of evil.

God’s judgement also includes deliverance by Grace through faith and not by works. This is because man’s “works” or self-righteousness are not enough to save him.

If man’s self-effort is enough to save him, then he doesn’t need the help of a loving God. Therefore, he must have faith in God’s provision.

God always make a provision of salvation according to His purpose and grace. And as men exercise faith in His provision, they enjoy His grace.

The grace of God is sufficient, no matter the degree of weakness or limitations. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

After the fall of man through unbelief, corruption entered the world (see Genesis 3). And when men muliplied on earth, their corruption and wickedness also multiplied. What men deserve was condemnation, yet God made provision of Grace.

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:5-8 (ESV).

Did you see the Goodnews amidst the evil and wickedness of men?

When you read the above verses, you may conclude that the focus is the plan of God to destroy man.

Please pause for a moment and put on the lens of Jesus.

To grasp the full revelation of the scriptures, read them through the lens of Jesus.

The above verses gave us the opportunity to witness the process of God’s unconditional love. God’s provision of love and grace is not demonstrated only in comfort. If it is only demonstrated in comfort then it is not unconditional.

To know it is the love of God, you must see the degree of pain.

The death of Jesus is the greatest demonstration of God’s love.
Was it comfortable? Was it cheap? Was it without a burden? Was it in the absence of pain?

Click here to read more about the sufferings of Jesus on the cross.

The focus of Genesis 6 was not the wickedness of men and the flood. The focus of Genesis 6 is the Graciousness of God’s love.

The thoughts which preceded, “But Noah…” were not the focus of the conversation. They only helped us understand and value the degree of God’s love.

It shows clearly that by the wickedness of man’s heart, all men were to be destroyed completely. But because of the graciousness of God, He made provision of salvation for mankind. Now, by God’s provision of grace, man was no longer going to be condemned because of their evil intentions and wickedness. It is now about their faith.

The question was no longer, are they going to be destroyed because they are wicked?

The question now is, are they going to have faith in God to escape the coming destruction?

It was no longer about their character or conduct. It was now based on who God is?

It is now based on their faith in God.

“Faith opened Noah’s heart to receive revelation and warnings from God about what was coming, even things that had never been seen. But he stepped out in reverent obedience to God and built an ark that would save him and his family. By his faith the world was condemned, but Noah received God’s gift of righteousness that comes by believing.” Hebrews 11:7 (TPT).

Noah was not delivered because of His conduct or goodness of character. Noah and his family were delivered because he had faith in God.

No matter the present day evil, God’s provision of grace is superabounding. As many as will turn to God and have faith in Him shall be satisfied by God grace.

Beloved, this is the gospel (the Goodnews) of Jesus!

Hallelujah!