God's gift of faith to a sinner is the culmination of a great chain of events purposed and accomplished by the Triune God.
Sinners loved by God in His eternal foreknowledge are chosen to salvation and predestinated to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). They are justified from eternity in the court of God's truth and justice and set apart through sanctification as the betrothed bride of Christ.
They are adopted into the family of God as sons and daughters who are loved with everlasting, unchangeable love in Jesus Christ. They are vouched safe in the everlasting covenant where the Lord Jesus Christ presents Himself as surety for their sins and substitute for their judicial condemnation.
Salvation Accomplished
God commands the salvation of the elect (Psalm 71:3). Therefore, Christ comes, at the time appointed, willingly and purposefully to accomplish His Father's will. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart (Psalm 40:7,8).
The links in the great chain of God's salvation are added to by the redemption of the elect (Isaiah 53:10,11). Then their reconciliation is effected by the death of the sacrificed Lamb (Romans 5:10). Their justification is confirmed by the resurrection of their Deliverer (Romans 4:25).
Salvation Sought
In time the Holy Spirit calls all redeemed sinners to new life through the preaching of the gospel. Faith, God's unconditional gift, is implanted. Newly sensitive to sin and personal unworthiness before God they come under conviction of guilt, they see themselves as worthy of death and eternal separation. The prospect is dreadful.
Then they see Jesus. They see His love and great salvation. They see His grace. They see grace in all its beauty, in election, redemption, justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, and eternal glory - all by the mercy of God.
Yet, they fear it is not for them. How can it be when they are such sinners? It is here that Christ offers hope. Such hope they can find nowhere else, though they search as best they can. Remorse and regret bestow no hope. Commitment and dedication supply no hope. Personal obedience provides no hope. Good works give no hope. Like a city of refuge; beckoning, summoning, inviting, Christ alone holds out deliverance for the guilty sinner from the condemnation of the law.
Flee to Christ
As Bunyan's Pilgrim fled from the City of Destruction so sinners, sensitive to their predicament, flee from the wrath to come. They are without hope except Christ will have them. They venture to approach, like Esther before the King, yet fear they will be rejected. They have nowhere else to go, no place else to turn, no other refuge to flee to. Christ alone has the words of eternal life. Will He stretch out His scepter? Will He open the city gate and let them in?
Faith ushers them on. They are sin-weary and long for rest from their self-righteous labours. They are hungry for bread that fills, and thirsty for living water. They are drawn to the one they behold (John 6:44), encouraged by the "comes" and the "welcomes" of Christ's gracious invitations (Matthew 11:28, John 7:37, Revelation 22:17). Taking Christ at His Word they cast themselves upon His mercy.
Lay hold of Christ
Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). Is this true? Having flown to Christ will a sinner be disappointed? Never. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Therefore, by faith, we lay hold upon Him for the good of our soul, gripping tightly for fear of the danger behind us and happy to be clinging to the Rock who rescues us from sin. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay (Psalm 40:2).
As a mother succours her child so we rest for spiritual nourishment upon Christ. He supplies all our needs according to His riches. With child-like dependence we lay hold on Christ.
As a lover embraces his betrothed so, His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me (Song of Solomon 2:6) and we lay hold on Him.
Keep Christ
Would you have a blessing from Christ? Hold Him still. Never let Him go. Jacob wrestled with the Lord until morning and by faith the people of God will seek such good gifts from their Jehovah-jireh as will build them up and enable them to stand in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13).
By faith, keep your eye upon Him. Retain Him in your view. Don not, like Peter, look around on the stormy sea. When we look elsewhere for righteousness, we will sink. When we seek to stand in our own strength, we will fall. Faith causes us to look to Christ for righteousness. Legalism tempts us to look back to ourselves and our works.
Lean on Christ
Faith leans on Jesus as a weary traveller leans upon his guide. He is our strength, our support and our confidence. When trials come, as they must - lean on Jesus. When dark times creep upon our soul; when sin rises up; when temptation overwhelms and the struggle with the old man seems to be lost. Lean on Jesus. John leaned upon Jesus' breast as a mark of love and trust. His comfort was being close to his Master.
Those who persevere in the Christian life do not overcome the world by their own efforts. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is Christ that justifies. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:33-34). Faith enables us to lean on Christ.
Receive Christ
What a privilege this is. That sinful men and women can receive Christ is a wonder of grace beyond comprehension. Faith enables us to receive Christ, and receiving Christ receives all the blessings of the riches of God's grace. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).
Christ is not divided. We receive Him completely as Prophet, Priest and King.
By faith we receive Christ as our Prophet. He comes from God with good news for our souls. He brings the message of grace to the poor and liberty to the captive. By receiving Christ we receive the gospel.
By faith we receive Christ as our Priest. He offered Himself as substitute and sacrifice for His people. By receiving Christ we receive the merits of His blood.
By faith we receive Christ as King. He is Lord in His kingdom, sovereign in His church and reigns over His people as their Master. By receiving Christ we accept His rule.
For men to receive Christ, Christ must be given and is, indeed, given by the free gift of God to His people. He is given freely, with all the blessings of salvation and the full inheritance of glory to the elect sons and daughters of God.
The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). What has been given by grace will never be withdrawn. What we have received by faith will never be taken away.
What must I do to be saved? Flee to Christ, lay hold on Him, keep Him in your sight, lean on Him, receive Him as Prophet, Priest and King, and never let Him go.
Originally published in the April/May 2004 edition of New Focus Magazine : www.go-newfocus.co.uk. Reproduced here with permission.
