Let us read Colossians 3:15–16.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Every nation seeks to make its country splendid and beautiful. Cities also strive to become more beautiful by planting trees along their streets, placing sculptures in their squares, and adding various decorations to their buildings. The same is true of homes. People hang paintings, arrange flowers, and bring in various decorative objects to make their homes beautiful.

Yet there is another world within every person, a world invisible to the eye. It is the world of the heart. People decorate their hearts with various things. And just as they live in the homes they have decorated, they also live within the world they have decorated in their hearts.

A Land Filled with Idols

When the apostle Paul arrived in Athens, he was deeply troubled to see that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16). Athens was famous for its philosophy, learning, and art, yet it was filled with temples, altars, and statues dedicated to numerous gods. People encountered idols as they walked through the streets, visited the squares, or entered the temples. Idols were what adorned the city.

We find something similar in the history of Israel and Judah. Kings who turned away from God worshiped Baal, erected Asherah poles, and established high places where people offered sacrifices to idols. As a result, the land of God’s chosen people was defiled by idolatry.

Ahab, king of northern Israel, married Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon. He then built a temple for Baal in Samaria, erected an altar, and even made an Asherah pole (1 Kings 16:31–33). The people saw the altars and Asherah poles wherever they went, and eventually committed the evil of worshiping worthless idols.

Manasseh, king of southern Judah, went even further. He erected altars to foreign gods and placed an Asherah image inside the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 21:3–7). He established idols in the very place that had been set apart for the worship of God. There were idols at the high places, and there were idols even inside God’s temple. The land of a people who should have worshiped God was defiled by idols. The people followed their king in worshiping idols, and Scripture testifies that they committed even greater evil than the nations around them.

A Land Where Idols Were Removed and God’s Word Was Established

When kings who feared God arose, the landscape of the nation changed. King Hezekiah removed the high places, broke the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He even destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses had made because the people had begun worshiping it as an idol (2 Kings 18:4).

King Josiah went even further. When he heard the words of the Book of the Law discovered in the temple, he tore his clothes in repentance. He brought out of the temple all the objects made for Baal and Asherah and burned them. He also removed the high places and idols throughout the land (2 Kings 23). Then he celebrated the Passover before the Lord together with the people.

The kings who feared God removed the idols and restored God’s Word and worship in their place. Where sacrifices had been offered to idols, the worship of God was restored. God’s Word, which had been forgotten, was read again, and the feasts of the Lord, which had been neglected, were observed once more.

As the things that filled the nation changed, what the people saw and heard also changed. The human heart is much the same. The world within the heart changes according to what a person establishes there.

A Heart Filled with Death

Some people live with their hearts decorated by the law of sin and death.

When such a person walks through the world of his heart, he encounters sin on one street. When he turns onto another street, condemnation awaits him. In the square stands the fear of judgment, and deep within his heart lies the shadow of death.

Wherever he looks, there is death. Wherever he turns, there is death. No matter where he walks, he cannot find any hope.

Judas Iscariot is a representative example of someone whose heart became filled with thoughts of sin and death.

After betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, he realized that he had betrayed innocent blood and was deeply distressed. He therefore tried to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. But they paid no attention to his suffering. Judas threw the silver into the temple, went away, and took his own life.

Judas recognized his sin and regretted what he had done, but the grace of God that forgives sin and the hope of salvation found no place in his heart. As he walked through the world of his heart, he encountered only thoughts that condemned him. Wherever he looked, he saw his sin; wherever he turned, he saw judgment. Unable to find rest anywhere, he finally took his own life.

A Heart Filled with Joy and Praise

But there are people whose hearts are richly adorned with the gracious Word of God.

Such a person walks along a street in his heart and encounters these words:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

As he looks upon these words, he remembers once again the grace of God that has set him free from condemnation. And deep within his heart, joy arises as he realizes that through Jesus Christ he is no longer under condemnation.

Walking down another street, he finds these words waiting for him:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Standing before these words, he remembers how deeply God has loved him. As he considers that Christ died for him not when he was righteous, but while he was still a sinner, he is overwhelmed by the love of God.

He continues walking through the world of his heart. This time, another passage catches his eye:

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

As he looks upon these words, he gives thanks to Jesus, who has given him eternal life. And as he thinks of the Lord’s hand holding him securely, he finds peace.

Walking to another place, he encounters these words:

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

Whenever he faces difficulties, he looks to this promise. Although people may leave him and everything in the world may change, he gains strength again as he remembers God’s promise never to leave or forsake him.

As he walks through the world of his heart, he encounters grace here and love there. On one street, he enjoys the joy of forgiveness; on another, he discovers the hope of eternal life.

Wherever he looks, there is hope. Wherever he turns, there is life.

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

The apostle Paul said to the believers in Colossae:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).

And he continued:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).

When the Word of Christ dwells richly in our hearts, we experience God’s grace and love through that Word. And when believers gather together, they teach and admonish one another through the same Word, sharing the grace of God with one another.

Thus, the peace of Christ and thanksgiving come to abound not only in individual hearts but also within the community of the church. And believers come to praise God with “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Let us look at 1 John 3:1.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”

The Centurion’s Love for His Servant and Its Limit

Matthew 8 tells the story of a centurion who came to Jesus on behalf of his servant, who was lying at home paralyzed and terribly tormented.

At that time, Romans did not regard slaves as independent members of society. They were under the authority of their masters and, legally, their status was in many respects closer to that of property. Therefore, when a slave became ill, there were cases in which the master might view it more as a loss of labor and property than as the suffering of a person.

Yet the centurion came to Jesus for his servant, who was paralyzed and suffering terribly. Luke describes this servant as one who was “dear unto him” (Luke 7:2). From this, we can see how deeply the centurion valued his sick servant.

Jesus saw the centurion’s faith, showed him grace, and healed his servant.

The Love of the Creator Who Gave His Life for His Creatures

However much the centurion loved his servant, it would not have been easy for him to give his own life for that servant. People value their own lives above all else. Yet what is astonishing is that Jesus willingly gave His life for us—and for human beings whom He Himself created.

How could the Creator give His life for creatures He made? That the Son of God became man and died for the human beings He Himself created is a love that human wisdom simply cannot explain. This is why John said, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

The expression “what manner of love” means more than simply “how much love.” It carries a sense of astonishment: “What kind of love can this possibly be!”

Scripture says:

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7–8).

If the centurion’s servant had been a wicked man who refused to obey his master and wasted his master’s possessions, would the centurion still have gone to Jesus for him? It is difficult to imagine such a thing happening. Yet while we, His creatures, had become enemies of God and were opposing the very God who made us, Jesus gave His own life for us. How can we explain such astonishing love?

A “Wonderful” Love Beyond Human Reason

Speaking of the God who knew him completely, David said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Psalm 139:6). Here, “wonderful” means something so astonishing and extraordinary that human wisdom cannot fully comprehend it.

We too can say that God’s love is wonderful. God’s love is an astonishing love whose depth and reason cannot be fully fathomed by our reason and experience.

We are the objects of God’s great love. Yet many people do not know how deeply God loves them. Some even think that God hates them or has abandoned them. The devil causes us to look at our sins and failures rather than at God, leading us to doubt God’s love.

The Cross: The Evidence That Shatters the Devil’s Lie

But the cross declares that this is a lie.

The fact that Jesus died for us not when we were righteous but while we were sinners proves that we are the objects of God’s great love. Therefore, rather than looking only at our sins and failures and doubting God’s love, we must look to Jesus, who endured the scourging and the suffering of the cross for us.

Scripture says, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). Our hearts have a strong tendency to judge us according to our deeds. But in the Word of God we see the love that God first bestowed upon us while we were sinners.

If we want to know how God has loved us, we must not look only at ourselves but look to Jesus Christ. John says, “Herein is love.”

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10).

The apostle Paul said, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). The more we come to know Jesus, the more deeply we understand how much God has loved us; and the more we understand that love, the deeper our love for God becomes.

The Joy of Knowing the Love of Christ That Surpasses Knowledge

Yet no matter how much we come to know the love of Christ, we can never fully comprehend it. Paul prayed:

“May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18–19).

Christ’s love is a love we can know, yet it is also a love that surpasses our knowledge. We continue to discover its breadth and length and depth and height, but no matter how much we learn, we can never reach its end.

God’s love toward us is so wonderful that our wisdom can never fully comprehend it. Yet God has revealed that love to us through Christ. As we continue to know that love, we will live in gratitude and rejoice in it.

Let us read Lamentations 3:21–23.

“But this I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Something once happened in a small mall. From early in the morning, a man sat in a corner, diligently writing something on a piece of paper. One hour passed, then two, but he did not move from his place. Even after lunchtime, he was still sitting there. The shop owners began to worry about him.

One restaurant owner brought him some food. But the man became angry and asked why he was being treated like a beggar, so the owner had no choice but to take the food back. Yet when evening came and they saw that he still had not eaten anything and had done nothing but write, they could no longer feel at ease. This time, they quietly placed some food beside him and hurried away.

Even though the man might become angry because of his pride, they could not bear to leave him without food when they thought about the suffering he must be experiencing from hunger. This is a heart of compassion.

He Saw Him and Had Compassion

In Luke 10, we read about a man who fell among thieves and was left nearly dead. He was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him nearly dead. A priest and a Levite saw him but passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling saw him and had compassion on him. He went to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bound them up. Then he placed him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The wounded man could not even cry out for help. He was nearly dead and unable to make a sound. Yet the compassion shown to him saved his life.

The same thing happened when Jesus came near the city of Nain. The only son of a widow had died, and people were carrying his body out. When Jesus saw the widow, He had compassion on her and said, “Weep not.” Then He touched the bier and said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise” (Luke 7:14). And the young man who had been dead came back to life.

The man who spent the whole day writing in the corner of the mall, the man who fell among thieves, and the widow’s dead son—how they had lived was not what mattered. What a person is cannot prevent compassion. Therefore, mercy triumphs over judgment.

Mercy That Turns Despair into Hope

The prophet Jeremiah was in despair. The city of Jerusalem and the temple had been completely destroyed by Babylon. The nation had fallen, and countless people had either been killed or taken captive. Jeremiah had witnessed the destruction with his own eyes and cried out to God.

Yet when he recalled that the LORD’s mercy and compassion are without end, his despair turned into hope. Because God’s compassion has no limit, he became convinced that he and his people would not be utterly consumed. Just as the morning sun surely rises after the darkness of night, he believed that God would surely have compassion on them.

Jeremiah confessed, “Great is thy faithfulness.” Here, “faithfulness” means unwavering fidelity. It is a confession that God’s promises and love do not change from yesterday to today. Jeremiah did not doubt that God would surely have compassion on the people whom He loved.

God Had Compassion on Us

We were people who had turned away from God, become servants of the devil, and provoked God to wrath. Even if we had been destroyed, we would have had nothing to say in our defense. Yet God saw us suffering as servants of the devil. And though we stood on the road to destruction without even realizing it, He had compassion on us.

When people crucified Jesus between two criminals, Jesus prayed:

Beneath the cross, the soldiers were casting lots to divide Jesus’ garments. The people and the rulers mocked Him, saying that He had saved others and should now save Himself. Even the soldiers mocked Him, offering Him vinegar and saying, “If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (Luke 23:37).

But Jesus did not curse them. Judged by their deeds, they deserved to be cursed, yet Jesus instead had compassion on them in their ignorance. It was this infinite compassion of Jesus that saved us.

We too, in our ignorance, distrusted God and opposed Him. When we consider what we, as creatures, have done before our Creator, we were people who could have suffered eternal destruction again and again and still have had nothing to say. Yet God saw our ignorance and had compassion on us.

If a puppy were barking in front of a lion, we would feel sorry for the puppy because it does not understand how dangerous the lion is. We would want to take the puppy away from the lion and place it somewhere safe. That is compassion.

We were saved from sin because God showed us compassion. Without that compassion, we would have perished forever in our ignorance.

We can do nothing but kneel before God’s compassion and give thanks. God’s compassion is greater than our sin, deeper than our ignorance, and even in the midst of the judgment we deserved, His compassion opened for us a way to live.

Let us read John 9:1–3.

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:1–3)

People are born into very different circumstances and conditions. Some are born into prosperous families where they lack nothing, while others are born into families burdened by poverty and debt. Some are born healthy, while others are born with physical weakness, illness, or conditions that make them painfully conscious of how others may see them.

No one would choose to be born into difficult or disadvantaged circumstances. Yet the circumstances and conditions into which we are born are beyond our control. Scripture teaches us to view every area of our lives under the sovereignty of God.

Then should someone who is born with fewer advantages than others consider himself unfortunate? Not necessarily. Surprisingly, we often find that those who have experienced greater hardship and need can become people whose hearts overflow with deeper gratitude and praise toward God.

Because He Was Born Blind

Consider the man in today’s passage who was blind from birth. Through no fault of his own, he was born unable to see. Jesus clearly said that his blindness was neither because of his own sin nor because of his parents’ sin.

He could easily have spent his life bitterly resenting his circumstances. Yet God did something wonderful in his life. Jesus opened his eyes, and through that miracle the man came to understand clearly that Jesus was a man sent from God.

Even when people questioned him and tried to portray Jesus as a sinner, he refused to deny what had happened to him. Instead, he boldly answered:

“Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30–33)

Had he not been born blind, he might never have experienced this particular grace through which he came to know and believe in Jesus so deeply.

I Waited Patiently for the LORD

When we pray to God about the difficulties in our lives, He sometimes does not answer us immediately. Yet even this need not become a reason to complain against Him. When God finally answers our prayers, He can fill our mouths with the fruit of praise, just as Scripture says:

“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” (Psalm 126:2)

David also experienced times when he cried earnestly to God but did not receive an immediate answer. In Psalm 40:1, he says:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

David waited so long for God’s answer that he described himself as waiting patiently for the LORD. Yet when God finally heard his cry, David sang:

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:2–3)

Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, experienced something similar. For many years she had no child and prayed with tears. But after God graciously gave her Samuel, she praised Him:

“My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:1–2)

Because there was waiting, there was genuine thanksgiving. Because there were tears, there was deeper praise.

If this is so, how can a delayed answer from God be regarded only as a cause of unhappiness?

For the Glory of God

People sometimes think that human suffering began because of Adam’s sin and say, “If only Adam had not sinned, we would have been happier.”

Yet Adam’s fall did not end only in misery. Against the dark background of human sin, we came to see the astonishing love of God, who loved us so greatly that He gave His only begotten Son for us.

When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus. Jesus said:

“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4)

From this we can see that God desires to be glorified through the circumstances He permits in our lives.

Therefore, even when we encounter various trials, we do not lose our hope in God. We believe that through these very things, God can ultimately bring forth the fruit of praise from our lips and glorify His name.

For this reason, Scripture tells us:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Let us read Luke 19:10.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

When a sheep is with its shepherd, it has no need to search for him. But when a sheep is lost, it seeks the shepherd. It is much like the healthy, who do not seek a physician, while the sick do.

When the younger son who took his father’s inheritance was still living with his father, he had no reason to seek him. But after he went into a far country, wasted everything he had in reckless living, and began to starve, he finally remembered and longed for his father’s house.

In the same way that a lost sheep seeks its shepherd and the younger son longed for his father, those who seek God are those who have come to realize that they are lost and need Him.

Jesus Seeks the Lost

Jesus came into this world seeking the lost because the lost need a Saviour. When we look at the people Jesus met and showed grace to in Scripture, we find that many of them were desperately in need of someone to save them.

The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well was such a person. When she recognized Jesus as a prophet, she said to Him:

“I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” (John 4:25)

Jesus did not simply see a woman who was living with a man who was not her husband after having had five husbands. To other people, she may have appeared to be a woman with many problems, but Jesus looked beyond her outward circumstances and saw a heart waiting for the Messiah.

As Scripture says:

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Jesus looked upon her heart.

The man who had been infirm for thirty-eight years, whom Jesus met at the pool of Bethesda, was another such person. When Jesus asked him:

“Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6)

he answered:

“Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.” (John 5:7)

Whenever the water at the pool of Bethesda was troubled, the man had tried to reach the pool before anyone else. But contrary to his hopes, someone else always entered before him.

As this happened again and again, he came to experience the despair of realizing, “I cannot do this by my own strength.” Eventually, he came to understand that he needed someone to help him—someone to save him from the helpless condition in which he found himself.

Jesus saw such a heart.

Zacchaeus was also such a person. The fact that he climbed into a sycamore tree because he wanted to see who Jesus was reveals something about his heart.

As a chief publican, climbing a tree in full view of the crowd would hardly have been a dignified thing to do. Yet he was willing to disregard what others might think because he desperately wanted to see Jesus.

Perhaps his desire to see Jesus was more than simple curiosity. There was a thirst in his heart that nothing in this world had been able to satisfy. Jesus did not pass him by. He personally called Zacchaeus by name.

Ye Shall Seek Me, and Find Me

The same is true of how we come to receive the grace of God.

We begin to seek God for many different reasons. Some seek Him because they have discovered their own weakness and wickedness and find themselves unable to overcome sin. Others seek Him because of sickness, suffering, or problems that they know they can never solve by their own strength.

Scripture tells us of many people who received grace when they sought Jesus.

There was the woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years. There was the Syrophenician woman whose daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit. There was also blind Bartimaeus, the beggar who cried out to Jesus.

Therefore Jeremiah 29:13 says:

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Pharisees and scribes in the days of Jesus did not receive His grace because they did not earnestly seek Him. Instead, they sought the praise and glory of men.

Even today, many people do not come to Jesus because their hearts desire and seek other things rather than Him.

God Calls Us First

There is, however, one more thing we must consider.

Before we ever began to seek God, God first called us.

Isaiah 65:2 says:

“I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts.” (Isaiah 65:2)

In truth, everyone needs the grace of God. In that sense, all people are lost. The problem is that many do not realize that they are lost.

A person deceived by the devil may believe that he has no need of God’s help. He thinks he can live perfectly well without God.

But the poor in spirit are different.

They know that they desperately need God. And it is such a heart that hears the voice of God calling.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Let us read 1 Corinthians 12:3.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

People often want to know for certain whether they are truly saved. If we have a clear assurance that we are children of God, we will not consider it a loss to give ourselves for the gospel. Rather, we will regard it as an honor. Serving God will become a source of true joy and happiness.

The apostle John also wrote to the church:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

This verse shows us that even those who already believe in Jesus may sometimes lack assurance that they have eternal life.

Scripture gives us several ways by which we may have assurance of our salvation. One of them is our confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins. This is because understanding and believing the gospel of forgiveness cannot take place apart from God’s help.

Second Corinthians 6:2 says:

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

He Hath Abounded Toward Us in All Wisdom and Prudence

Some people think that they can believe in Jesus whenever they choose. But it is not that simple. Those who think this way do not understand how cunningly the devil works to keep the human heart in darkness.

The devil thoroughly deceives people so that they will not believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, Scripture says:

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Therefore, a person needs God’s help in order to be saved. Let us look at Ephesians 1:7–9.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” (Ephesians 1:7–9)

There is an important statement here:

“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will.” (Ephesians 1:8–9)

It is difficult for us to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ through our own wisdom alone. God must give us wisdom and understanding. Therefore, the fact that we have come to understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins shows that we did not discover it merely through our own ability; God made it known to us.

Jesus asked His disciples:

“But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Peter answered:

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

Then Jesus said to Peter:

“Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

Peter came to understand that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, because God revealed it to him.

In the same way, if we have come to understand the mystery of the gospel—that through the blood of Jesus Christ we have received the forgiveness of sins—it is because God has made it known to us.

Therefore, Scripture says:

“No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

In His Son

People often think that they must first receive forgiveness and become holy before they can enter into Christ. But Scripture presents it differently. Let us look at Colossians 1:13–14.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13–14)

There is an important phrase here:

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14)

Scripture says that we have received the forgiveness of sins “in” the Son.

God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. And in His Son, He gave us wisdom and understanding so that we might understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins.

Therefore, the fact that we have received forgiveness does not merely mean that our sins have been taken away. It also shows that we are already in Christ.

Those Who Have Obtained Mercy

God desires that all people should be saved. Yet not everyone is saved. Salvation comes through the mercy of God. Romans 9:15–16 says:

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:15–16)

The Bible tells us of many people who received mercy from Jesus. When we look carefully at them, we find that they were not those who considered themselves healthy and therefore had no need of a physician. They were like the sick who knew they needed a physician.

What do we see when we look at ourselves?

We are ignorant, and yet we are also proud. We may seem to be people far removed from deserving the mercy of God. Nevertheless, we have received the forgiveness of sins.

That means we have received the mercy of God.

Therefore, when we can confess that all our sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ, it is powerful evidence that we have received God’s mercy, have been brought into Christ, and now belong to Him.

As Scripture says:

“For all men have not faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2)

The confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins is not something that comes naturally to everyone. It is possible because God, in His mercy, has made the gospel known to us and has brought us to faith in Jesus Christ.

Let us read John 8:32.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

A young woman once went to visit a friend and was raped by a man there. Tragically, she became pregnant as a result. Although she wanted nothing to do with the man, she decided that she would marry him for the sake of the child she was carrying. The man, however, refused to marry her. When her father learned what had happened, he strongly pressured her to have an abortion. Eventually, unable to withstand his persistent pressure, she had the abortion.

Afterward, she was overwhelmed by guilt over the death of her unborn child and suffered deeply. She could not bear the thought of seeing the man who had assaulted her again, so she moved to another country. But no matter how far away she went, she could not escape the guilt she carried within her.

She began attending church. Whenever she went to church, she wept and prayed for God to forgive her sin, but still she could not escape the burden of guilt.

She wondered whether helping people in need might free her from her guilt, so whenever she earned money, she gave to those who were struggling. Yet no matter how many good works she did, the pain in her heart remained.

When she had become completely exhausted, someone she knew invited her to attend a Bible seminar. There she heard these words:

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

At that moment, she realized that her own sin was included in “the sin of the world” that Jesus had taken away. She came to believe that because Jesus had borne the punishment in her place on the cross, all her sins had been forgiven.

Then an indescribable joy and peace entered her heart. At last, she was freed from the guilt and condemnation that had tormented her so cruelly.

She had not obtained that freedom through her own efforts. She could not obtain it by doing good works for others, nor could she obtain it simply by weeping and praying. But when she heard the Word of God and believed in Jesus Christ, she found freedom.

Psalm 107 says:

“Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:18–20)

God sends His Word, heals people, and delivers them from destruction.

Cornelius Was Saved Through Hearing the Word

There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius. He was a centurion of the band called the Italian band. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave generously to the people, and prayed to God continually.

If human works were the condition of salvation, Cornelius would have appeared to be more worthy of salvation than most people.

But no one can be justified before God by his own works. Therefore, God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.

When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends together to hear the Word of God. Peter began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.

As Peter said:

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)

the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the Word.

They were not saved because of their good works. They were saved because they believed the gospel of Jesus Christ that was preached to them.

The Power of the Word

The woman who had been tormented by guilt after having an abortion heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and came to understand the grace of forgiveness. Likewise, when those gathered in the house of Cornelius heard that whoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name, they received the Holy Ghost.

In this way, the Word has power to save.

The Word has power because the Word is God. John 1:1 says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

And Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh and came among us. Therefore, the words of Jesus have the power to accomplish what He speaks.

Once, Jesus was asleep in a boat with His disciples when a great storm arose. The waves beat against the ship until it began to fill with water. The disciples woke Jesus and cried:

“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)

Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea:

“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39)

Immediately, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

On another occasion, Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus, who had died, and cried:

“Lazarus, come forth.” (John 11:43)

And the man who had been dead came out of the tomb, bound hand and foot with graveclothes.

Jesus also came to the daughter of Jairus, who had died, and said:

“Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41)

Immediately, the girl arose.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

And He also said:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

Therefore, when we believe the Word of Jesus in our hearts, His Word works powerfully within us. It sets us free not only from sin, but also from the things that have held us in bondage.

Psalm 33:9 says:

“For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9)

Let us read James 1:17.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

There is an old Chinese expression, “When the rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked.” It means that once a person has served his purpose, he may be cast aside.

This saying is traditionally associated with Han Xin (韓信), a renowned general during the early Han dynasty in China. Han Xin helped Liu Bang, who later became Emperor Gaozu of Han, defeat Xiang Yu and played a major role in the unification of the empire. But after the empire had been secured, Liu Bang came to regard Han Xin as a possible threat to his power. Han Xin was eventually stripped of his position and later executed after being accused of conspiracy. His fate came to be associated with the saying about the hunting dog being discarded once the hunt was over.

Throughout history, there have been many stories of people who once enjoyed the favor of a king but were suddenly cast aside when the king’s heart changed. One reason people fear other people is that human beings can change at any time. Therefore, we cannot find perfect rest either in ourselves or in other people.

But we can rest in God because God does not change.

That which is perfect does not need to change.

Automobiles, for example, have continually been developed and changed over the years. The fact that automobiles have continued to improve shows that they have never been perfect. If a perfect automobile had already been made, there would be no need to develop a new one. But because there is no perfect automobile in this world, automobiles will continue to be developed and changed.

God alone is unchanging. Therefore, the Word He has spoken will never change. Psalm 119:89 says:

“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

God Judges According to His Word

Some people think that because God is love, if they weep and plead with Him on the day of final judgment, He will take pity on them.

But such a thought fails to understand that God is perfect and unchanging. Everything will be fulfilled according to the Word He has spoken.

Jesus has already said:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Therefore, those who do not believe in Jesus have reason to fear and tremble. At the final judgment, those who remain in unbelief will face the judgment God has already declared in His Word.

God Delivers Us from All Our Troubles

Today’s passage says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning.”

When a person moves, the position and shape of his shadow change. A shadow also changes as the position of the sun changes. But when Scripture says that with God there is “neither shadow of turning,” it teaches us that God is not like man, changing from one moment or circumstance to another.

God’s character does not change. His purpose does not change. His Word does not change.

Psalm 34:15 says:

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)

God does not turn His eyes and ears away from the righteous. Wherever we may be, He sees us and does not turn His face away from us. He sees us in our troubles and hears our cries.

Therefore, Psalm 34:19 says:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

We should pay particular attention to the words “them all.”

We do not experience only one affliction in life. We face many troubles. Yet even in the midst of them, we can have hope because God has promised to deliver the righteous from all their afflictions.

Because God cannot change, we can trust Him to remain faithful to His Word through every trial.

God Is Faithful

Second Timothy 2:13 says:

“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

To be “faithful” means to be trustworthy, dependable, and true to one’s word. Human beings can fail and prove unreliable. But God does not change according to circumstances.

God is always faithful, and He keeps the words He has spoken and the promises He has made.

Throughout Scripture, many people rejoiced in hope because they trusted the unchanging Word of God, and God did not put their trust to shame.

We who are sinners can also rest in Jesus Christ, who accomplished eternal redemption for us, because we know that no further payment for our sins is required.

Our rest is not based upon our own faithfulness, which may waver, but upon the faithfulness of the God who never changes.

Let us read Matthew 18:21–22.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21–22)

When we are young, we sometimes play mischievous pranks on our friends. For example, someone might pull out the hairs on a sleeping friend’s leg one by one. The first or second time, the friend may take it as a joke. But if it continues, even the closest friend will eventually become angry. Everyone has a limit to his patience.

When someone wrongs us, we may be able to forgive once or twice. But when the same offense is repeated again and again, we become increasingly hurt, and eventually forgiveness becomes very difficult.

Peter asked Jesus:

“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)

We do not know exactly why Peter chose the number seven. Perhaps he thought he was suggesting a number far beyond what people would normally consider reasonable forgiveness. But Jesus answered:

“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)

The point is not simply the number of times we are to forgive. Jesus was teaching that when a brother sins against us, we should be ready to forgive again and again.

This gives us great comfort and hope because we too fail before God countless times. If God forgave us only once or twice when we failed, none of us could stand before Him. But when we turn from our wrong and come to God, He is always ready to forgive us. Human forgiveness has its limits, but God’s mercy and forgiveness are beyond measure.

The Devil Deceives Us Without Our Realizing It

The devil deceives people. Yet those who are deceived by him often do not realize that they are being deceived. This is what makes his deception so dangerous.

If a person knows that he is being deceived, he can turn away from the deception. But the more a person trusts in himself, the more difficult it can be for him to escape the devil’s schemes.

Judas Iscariot is a clear example of this.

Judas betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and elders for thirty pieces of silver. Because he knew that Jesus was innocent, he may have thought that even if Jesus were arrested, He would eventually be released.

But when Judas saw that Jesus had been condemned, he realized that he had done wrong and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver. When the chief priests and elders refused to take the money, he threw the silver into the temple, departed, and took his own life.

The fact that Judas took his own life over his betrayal of Jesus shows how deeply he condemned himself for what he had done. Yet John 13:2 tells us:

“The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.” (John 13:2)

Judas did not recognize the work of the devil behind the thought of betraying Jesus. Had he recognized the enemy’s deception and turned to Christ rather than surrendering to despair and self-condemnation, his response could have been very different.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has power to deliver even the worst sinner from condemnation and give him life. Judas had been with Jesus and must have heard the words of the gospel many times. Yet those words did not profit him because, deceived by the devil, he ultimately trusted his own judgment rather than the words of Jesus. The path he chose led him to destruction.

Though Our Faith May Waver

The devil who deceived Judas still seeks to deceive us today.

We have the Word of God. We also have many things God has done for us. Yet this does not mean that we always hold firmly to His promises. Depending on our circumstances, our faith in God’s Word may waver.

At such times, the devil directs our attention toward our weakness and whispers:

“You have no faith.”

“You have fallen again.”

“Do you really think God could be pleased with someone like you?”

“God is not going to help you anymore.”

If we accept these lies, we may begin to believe that God will no longer help us. Then we lose hope and become discouraged.

At such times, we must remember Jesus, who taught us to forgive seventy times seven.

God says:

“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” (Jeremiah 18:7–8)

God is willing to turn from judgment when those facing destruction turn from their evil. Therefore, when we acknowledge our unbelief before Him and turn our eyes toward Him again, we have every reason to trust that He will help us.

Look at Peter.

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came walking on the sea. Peter said:

“Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Him.

But when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Then he cried:

“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)

Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.

Jesus did not abandon Peter because his faith was weak and he doubted. Instead, He immediately stretched forth His hand and held him.

When Peter was walking on the water, Jesus was his Lord.

And when Peter doubted and began to sink, Jesus was still his Lord.

The same is true for us. God does not love us only when our faith is strong. Even when our faith wavers, He continues to hold us.

God Is Not Like Us

We often imagine that God is like us.

Sometimes we find it difficult to forgive the failures of others, and at other times we are unable even to be gracious toward ourselves. As a result, we may assume that God will treat us in the same way when we fail.

But Romans 8:1 clearly says:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

When we look at ourselves after we have failed, we can find countless reasons to condemn ourselves. But in Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation.

Scripture also says:

“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” (Romans 14:22)

Through His command to forgive “seventy times seven,” Jesus taught us a forgiveness that is not exhausted by repeated offenses.

Therefore, when we become disappointed and discouraged by what we see in ourselves, we must turn our eyes toward God, who receives us in our weakness and embraces us with mercy.

As we look to Him, God gives us new strength.

He lifts us up again so that we may continue walking the path of faith with our eyes fixed upon Him.

Let us read 1 Corinthians 4:7.

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

I planted a few cucumber seeds in a pot. After some time, they sprouted and leaves began to grow. Before long, cucumbers began to appear.

Then one day, one of the cucumber plants began to wither, and eventually its leaves dried up completely. Wondering what had happened, I looked more closely and discovered that part of the stem had been bent so badly that it was almost broken. Because the stem had been damaged, the water and nutrients coming up from the roots could no longer reach the plant properly.

As I looked at it, I was reminded of what Romans 11 says about the branches and the root:

“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” (Romans 11:18)

Can a branch boast simply because it has produced fruit? Of course not. It was able to bear fruit because it received water and nourishment from the root.

In the same way, we cannot boast about the good things we possess, because everything we have has been received from God.

When everything is going well and we are prospering, it is easy to think that we enjoy these things because we are more capable than others. But when we trace everything we enjoy back to its source, we find the grace of God.

Even if we are not wealthy, the fact that we are able to live without lacking the necessities of life is not the result of our own ability alone. It is God who has given us the strength and ability to make a living. Deuteronomy 8:18 says:

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)

This is why Paul asks:

“And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

The Pride of Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, possessed great power and glory. But he came to believe that everything he enjoyed had been accomplished by his own strength.

One day, as he walked through the royal palace and looked upon the glory of Babylon, he said:

“Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30)

Before Nebuchadnezzar had even finished speaking, a voice came from heaven:

“O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” (Daniel 4:31–32)

Nebuchadnezzar’s words were filled with the thought of “I.”

“I built it by my power. I accomplished it by my strength. I made this kingdom for my own glory.”

But in a moment, God took away everything upon which Nebuchadnezzar had depended.

He was driven away from men and lived among the beasts of the field. He ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.

After seven times had passed, he finally came to understand who he was and who God is. He confessed:

“Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:34–35)

Nebuchadnezzar had thought that he himself had accomplished everything. But God caused him to understand that even the ability and authority he possessed had been given to him by God.

The authority a person possesses is permitted by God. The possessions a person enjoys are given by God. And nothing we accomplish would be possible apart from the ability and grace God gives us.

Therefore Solomon said:

“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

There Is No Room for Boasting in Grace

When a hunter shoots a bird, he may think that he brought it down because of his own skill. But Jesus teaches us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the providence of God:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)

Even the falling of a single sparrow is under God’s sovereign care. Therefore, when we accomplish something, we have no reason to exalt ourselves because of it.

Our salvation also did not come because of our own righteousness or ability. It came because God showed us His grace.

God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). In Jesus Christ, He has given us redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, and has made known to us the mystery of His will in all wisdom and prudence (Ephesians 1:7–9).

Therefore Scripture clearly says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Even after we have believed in Jesus, our spiritual growth is not accomplished by our own strength. Paul says:

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

Therefore, a person who understands grace cannot boast in himself.

Grace does not cause us to boast about what we have done for God. Grace causes us to boast about what God has done for us.

The Blessing of Trusting in the Lord

After God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not take them immediately into Canaan. Instead, He led them through the wilderness.

The wilderness was not the road Israel would have chosen. Yet God led them that way to humble them and, in the end, to do them good.

God sometimes leads us along roads we would not choose for ourselves. Through them, He teaches us our weakness and our inability so that we may understand that everything we have has been received from Him.

When we understand this, we no longer boast in ourselves. Instead, we boast in God alone and depend upon Him.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the root, neither can we accomplish anything apart from God. Therefore, we must humble our hearts and trust in Him.

Scripture describes the blessing of the person who trusts in the Lord:

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7–8)