The Benefits of Grace: I am Covered By Grace By: Rev. Michael R. Robinson

I would say that when most of us lay down to sleep at night; we have access to some form of covering: a flat sheet, a comforter, a quilt, or something else to cover us. When I was growing up I made sure I had a cover even during warm summer nights to protect my ears from mosquitos which would enter the bedroom that my brothers Tony, Timmy, and I would share. Most people would in fact say that they use a cover for protection, security, and comfort. Isn’t it wonderful that God has already provided protection, security, and comfort for those who have accepted and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? God’s Word declares that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Before we go any further let’s make an affirmation and declare that “I am covered by grace”.

There’s so much to say about grace, but I believe even all of that would be insufficient without acknowledging the simple truth that it’s God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It’s not like Smith Barney making money the old-fashioned way (remember that old commercial?); you can’t earn it. It’s a free gift from God. The Bible teaches that it is the unmerited favor of God. That means He is willing to forgive us and bless us abundantly despite the fact that we don’t even deserve it. “But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The truth is Jesus Christ delivers us from that which we cannot rescue ourselves – sin and its eternal consequences. This is why the Father sent his Son to step in between Holy God and sinful man. Jesus took the blow of God’s wrath upon himself and died for sinners like us. In addition, God has credited to the believer’s account the full righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Marvel Comics Cinematic Universe; Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow character was continuously flawed with the guilt of her past so much (saying that there was red in her ledger) that she ultimately sacrificed her own life in the “Avengers: Endgame” movie. I’m so glad that the only sacrifice for me was at Cavalry and that God had a plan to redeem you and me from the guilt of everything we’ve ever done AND everything we will ever do! Hallelujah!

Pastor Lula had stated in one of her more recent sermons that “In this dispensation of grace God has covered all of our sins: past, present, and future.

Through this dispensation of grace we are saved from the penalty of sin: “For the wages of sin IS death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). We have been justified, reconciled, and redeemed. The biggest coupon or discount in the world couldn’t get us that.

Grace also saves from the power of sin through sanctification. 2 Peter 3:18 instructs us to “Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. Grace gives us the power and determination to live a holy life through obedience to His Word, Will, and Way. The power of sin to enslave us has been broken.

Grace will ultimately deliver us from the presence of sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Sin will always be with us here in this life on earth; but that doesn’t mean we have to live defeated lives. Through glorification; One day Jesus will remove the presence of sin when He will take us from this world and into Heaven, where we shall be like Him and He will be with us.

The very fact that we are still here even in the midst of a pandemic should convince us that we are the recipients of God’s grace. I’m sure that each of us can testify how God has been good to us? Somewhere in the back of our minds, we can hear that old hymn “Your grace and mercy, brought me through”. So the question is: What will we do with it? Will we continue to reach for stuff the way Tony, Timmy, and I reached for covers on a warm summer night; or will we extend the same grace which was extended to you and me? Let’s allow God’s grace to be a swift witness to the world that we are covered by His grace, and to comfort those in need in times like these. May the covering of God’s grace be with us as we embark on this endeavor.