IN GRATITUDE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD By Rev Lim Kim Hock
As we come to celebrate God’s grace over these 60 years in Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, we are reminded of how God has provided for us. Through the gift of land by Mdm. Ammal, and subsequently others who gave funds generously, we have a building site which today stands as the place of worship for all of us at Redeemer. We also thank God for all the pastors He had provided through the years. Even as we consider His marvelous provision, I am reminded of Ephesians 2:4-7 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” It is through Jesus Christ that the grace of God becomes evident in our lives. The following are what we receive in Christ: 1. THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Eph.1:7 We are all sinners who need to pay for our sins. Just as a criminal who cannot use his good deeds to absolve himself of his crimes, we cannot just use our good works to pay for our sins. However, Jesus has paid for our sins when he died on the cross. Before God, we stand as those acquitted/ justified because our sins have been paid for. We no longer need to stand in dread of the Day of Judgment nor fear the condemnation that awaits all who have to answer for their sins. In fact, we are reminded every Sunday that God is faithful and He forgives us when we confess our sins and hear the words of absolution. Whenever we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are also reminded that all our sins are forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice. 2.THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith Gal.3:26
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The GOODNEWS | April 2020
