Some of you might remember the chorus to that old hymn, “Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.” I can still close my eyes and hear these words being sung in four-part harmony by the “old people” around me when I was a little boy. I knew so little of grace then, and, if I am honest, I know so little of it now.

Grace is a concept that we have fully received, but one that we will never fully comprehend. Throughout all of eternity we will be “grow(ing) in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Our worship and praise of the One who has bestowed grace on us will only increase, ever and always … there will be no end of our awe.

I am reminded of how little I actually know of God’s grace when I am stunned by the display of God’s grace in his word. I read certain words, and awe is stirred in my heart, leading to worship. My brother is a pastor in New Hampshire, and he is preparing to take his congregation through the book of Jeremiah. Because I often watch the live broadcast of his sermons on Sunday mornings, I decided to begin slowly reading through this book to prepare my heart.

One morning I found myself stunned by God’s grace as I read these words in Jeremiah 3:12-13:

“’Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice,’ declares the LORD” (ESV).

For the most part, these verses sound similar to the majority of the prophetic message, regularly proclaimed by prophets, warning the people to return to the Lord. So what stirred awe in my heart?

Look at those verses again and more particularly at the words, “only acknowledge.” Wow! Only acknowledge! The Lord does not thunder forth the message, “Get your act together, faithless Israel! And, then, I will consider my next move once I see that you are serious about this.” In other parts of the prophetic message, the Lord does in fact call his people to return to faithful obedience to their covenant. I am not minimizing obedience. I want to draw attention to grace, to stir awe in you as it was stirred in me. The Lord simply says, “only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled … and that you have not obeyed.” Only acknowledge!

This stunning display of God’s grace is why the words to that old hymn flooded from my memory bank: “Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.” This grace pardons; it cleanses within; it is greater than all our sin.

This grace is for me and for you. We do nothing to earn it. There is no prerequisite except the stunning words, “Only acknowledge.” Only acknowledge … and he will pardon. Perhaps you have been resisting God’s grace that is freely available to you. Perhaps your heart is hardened to him for fear that you have to get it all together before you turn to him. Perhaps you need to hear these words, “Only acknowledge!” Receive God’s grace afresh today. Only acknowledge, and you will find an additional stunning reality.  The grace that begins to flow into your life will transform you. It is free, but it is powerful to transform. Receive it afresh today and sing through this amazing hymn to help you worship the One who freely offers such grace and who faithfully transforms you. Be stunned! Be in awe!

 

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! 
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. 

Chorus:

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 
grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! 

2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; 
grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. 

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 
grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! 

3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? 
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. 

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 
grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! 

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! 
You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? 

Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 
grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!