"In Christ" Realities! Ephesians 1:7-8 (Part two)

We must understand that the measure of God's forgiveness is according to "the riches of His grace which He lavished on us" (v 8). The key word is "lavished!" Why does Paul want us to know this? Paul wants us to understand the completeness of God's redemption in Christ, that there are no sins too great for Him to forgive through the precious blood of the Lamb of God. God has always wanted those who come to Jesus to know this! Let's examine the words of Isaiah. He says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon" (Isa 55:6-7). Notice the heart of God in these words: "abundantly pardon" and "riches of grace lavished on us!" My goodness, it just doesn't get any better than this! For the Christ follower, God's amazing grace keeps on giving what we don't deserve! Now every time I teach along these lines, some think that I'm going too far! They think and say, "teaching like this will cause people to go out and sin, knowing that all their sins have been forgiven." If some of you are thinking that, then allow me to help you. Apostle Paul dealt with this same issue in the letter to the church at Rome. Listen to his words, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). It all boils down to this: When we understand and embrace that Christ the Redeemer shed His precious blood to secure our forgiveness, it ties and binds our heart in love to Him! It makes us hate our sin and strive against it all the more! Your move. Be encouraged!