Emmanuel, The Merciful God Of All Grace
Matthew 1:21-23; 1 Peter 5:10
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:21-23). Christ came to the world, not to pet or tolerate sinners in their sinfulness, but He came to save, rescue and set free from sin. Jesus was not just born by a woman but a virgin, confirming His miraculous conception and divinity. Jesus the Son of God is God, and He comes to dwell with us as Saviour, Healer, Deliverer, Sanctifier and the Power of God in man.
1. THE MERCIFUL GOD WITH GRACE FOR ALL
John 1:16-18; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 3:23-24
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:16-18). The verse teaches us that all can receive the fulness of God. You must know that God is not partial and He will not cast out anyone. His fulness is greater than the oceans of the sea, so His grace and mercy are inexhaustible. Grace comes to us through Jesus, the Emmanuel who is the compassionate and merciful God. The grace of God reconciles us to God and we experience His creative and redemptive might in us. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-12). The grace of God does not bring sin, iniquity and evil into our lives. This grace has appeared to all men and no one is excluded from the grace of God except they exclude themselves. Grace makes us godly, truthful and righteous. A person who has the grace of God lives a sober life, not a frivolous life. The grace of God is the transforming power of God that comes to make our lives godly. We receive forgiveness and redemption through His grace. As Emmanuel comes to us, He redeems us from all iniquity and purifies us to Himself. The new life in Christ shines forth in all aspects of our lives. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8). God is able to give us abundant grace for every area of our lives that need the touch of grace. Grace helps us to abound in every good work. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). The glory of God cannot shine in your life when you are devoid of grace. All men are born to the world without grace and it is only when we come to the Lord in repentance that we receive God’s grace. We have nothing to pay for the grace because our debts are too heavy.
2. HIS MANIFOLD GRACE AND GOODNESS FOR THE AFFLICTED
Psalm 145:8-9,19; Acts 10:38,43; Mark 7:37; Romans 2:4
The grace of God brings His goodness that heals our afflictions. “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” (Psalm 145:9). As He was good to Israel, so is He good to all that fear Him. The Lord’s mercies are over His creatures despite our adversities and afflictions. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38). The Holy Ghost who is the third Personality in the Godhead, has the same attributes as God and Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost to heal and do good to all. He never sent anyone away and He has not changed today, nor will He ever change. Oppression, suffering, sadness and afflictions are not the will of God for His people. Emmanuel comes to give us abundant life. “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” (Mark 7:37). As they looked at Him and saw the things He had done; they were very astonished because He had done all things well. The Lord has not changed, He will do all things well in your life. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). Everyone who experiences God’s miracle, mercy and goodness should understand that the purpose of God’s goodness is to lead people to repentance.
3. THE MANIFESTED GRACE OF GOD, THE ALMIGHTY
Acts 11:23,26; 2 Corinthians 6:1,14-18; 1 Corinthians 15:10,58; Hebrews 12:15-
17,28
“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord… And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:23,26). Barnabas came to Antioch and saw the conversion and grace of God among the Gentile believers. The grace of God brings change, transformation and renewal of life. We cleave to the Lord after salvation and give ourselves totally to the Lord. The grace of God should be obvious to our friends and foes. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”. (2 Corinthians 6:14). A believer should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers and infidels. We do not have any participation in idolatrous practices and uncleanness. We are saved by grace, strengthened by grace and uplifted by grace. “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). We do not leave the grace of God behind at the point of salvation but we need the grace of God every step of the way in our walk with God. Salvation, sanctification and service are by the grace of God. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28).
