The Preaching of the Gospel of Grace

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:24

Paul was willing to give up all, including his own life, for the preaching of the good news. That was his life focus. To some, this was a sheer waste of life: he was in the upper ranks of his Jewish Society. Trained by Gamaliel, the top professor of his day, he was zealous for the advancement of Judaism, that he would kill the people who opposed, especially Christians.

Yet, at the road to Damascus, he met the Lord Jesus, who transformed his life and used him for the preaching of the gospel of Christ. What caused this crazy devotion and loyalty in Paul to an individual, many claimed only to be good teacher?

Paul knew that Jesus was the Lord of Glory. He knew at the road to Damascus, that the Lord Jesus was pricking him in his conscience. Yet, his hardened heart refused to accept the Saviour. But the scourge of a guilty conscience, the grace of God shone brightly into his life, and led him to surrender his will and his life to Christ. Is this your experience believer, that you used to oppose Him, but now He is the Lord of your life? He is God.

The gospel of grace sets people free from their sin: The law of sin condemns people to an eternity in the lake of fire – whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). We are powerless to save ourselves, and from our sins. But the grace that bringeth salvation has appeared to ALL MEN (Titus 2:11).

God’s grace is motivated by His mercy and His love. The heart alone does not complete the task of salvation until His grace was visibly demonstrated at the Cross when the Lord Jesus died to shed His blood for our sins. When He became our substitute at the cross, He was essentially telling us, as we repent of our sins, that He forgave us and He gives us a new life in Christ. We are now free from sin and its condemnation.

The gospel of God’s grace turns condemned sinners into converted saints. It transforms hell-bound sinners into heaven-bound believers. The curse of eternal death has turned into the blessing of eternal life in the grace of Christ. Paul, who has experienced this wonderful grace of Jesus, realizes its treasure and worth when applied to the life of a sinner, and thus he accepts the assignment to preach the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul gave up all that others may live – He was willing to say that no difficulty will move him, not even the threat of death to his life can turn him from his resolve to preach this wonderful grace, indeed the only wonderful news in this world, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, to save them from hell, and to bring them to heaven. Paul’s life, ambition, and fear are all put aside as he considers the awesome message he has to bring to those who have never heard the gospel.

Paul does not boast of his efforts but gave glory to the grace of Christ:
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

Do we realize the Lord of Glory, the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we consider how great the gospel is to ourselves, something we need to love and cherish and proclaim that someone may also understand the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? How much are we willing to give up to tell someone the gospel of the Lord Jesus? Will we be like Paul, that having known of the grace of God, will then give up all to complete the cause of preaching the gospel of the grace of God?

May Ambassador be an army of soldiers that bring the message of the grace of God to a dying world, for their salvation, to populate Heaven and to bring glory to our dear Saviour and God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Written by: Pastor Johnny Tan