“One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). This is the heartfelt testimony of a man who was born blind and Jesus gave him his sight. That’s why the blind man could declare “now I see.” Just as how this man was blind from birth, we can all relate to his condition. Before a person believes in Jesus Christ, that person is “blind” to Him, His will and His ways. And by no means can anyone change this condition by his or her works. Isn’t it any wonder King David said, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). Iniquity is man’s rebellion toward God and sin is the inborn nature.
Just as Jesus gave the man his sight, so it is with anyone who receives Jesus Christ as Savior. Every human being from the first man, Adam, that God created, is born “spiritually blind,” that is, not knowing the truth of the Gospel, that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), neither have they discovered God’s love, mercy, and saving grace. The fact is, without exception, “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23). Also, “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). This means that everyone chooses to go his or her way rather than God’s way.
God’s way is that sinful man should hear and respond to the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because “it is not God’s will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Consider the fact that God is holy and mortal man is unholy, therefore, there needs to be “reconciliation” whereby man is made right with God. For this purpose, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Salvation is a “free Gift” because of God’s grace. It is free because Jesus paid the price through His shed blood and death on the cross. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not of works so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In his commentary on Ephesians 2:8-9, Dr. Charles Stanley wrote, “If our salvation were dependent upon our actions—if we could be redeemed by doing good works, keeping the commandments and refraining from sin—we would always be in danger of losing it whenever we stumbled. However, because salvation is a gift given to us freely—and not in exchange for anything we can do—it is completely secure. Our salvation therefore magnifies the awesome love and grace of God alone, since He blesses us not because of our merit but because of His goodness.” (The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, p. 1415). Dr. Stanley is absolutely right. What about those who were not capable of doing good works and keeping the commandments?
The greatest problem in our society is sin. That is why God is the God of all grace who offers salvation to this world that truly deserves God’s judgment. And thank God, “That as sin has reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20).