Transformation by Grace

As I prepared for this week's sermon, an illustration came to mind of how God seeks and saves the lost.  People could be compared to an abandoned, neglected car that is rusting away in a pile of debris.  Most people would look at a wreck and see it as junk and a worthless liability:  a heap of perished rubber, broken glass, and rat-infested interior.  But to the savvy car enthusiast, it is a dream to find a rare and valuable car which can be purchased to restore to peak condition.  Imagine if the one who designed a one-of-a-kind car found his own priceless design rusting away in a garage and was willing to give everything for it.  That's similar to what Jesus has done for us sinners.

When God looks at lost sinners created in the image of God, He knows what He created us to be.  In our natural condition we are dead in sins, like a car that cannot be started or driven because it lacks a battery, tyres or steering wheel.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost and died on Calvary to provide atonement for our sins.  In receiving Christ by faith, we are born again and God begins a process to restore us and make us more like Jesus.  This is a work God delights to do--not as a hobby for hours on evenings or weekends, but by fellowship continually with Him every day.

God is not interested to purchase us with His own blood for resale value or as a trophy for a showroom, but so when He steps on the accelerator we will roar to life; when He touches the brakes we will respond automatically to the leading of the Holy Spirit and conviction from His word.  He wants us to yield to His guiding hand as He directs every moment.  Our redeemed, restored lives are not stored in a garage or only utilised for road trips, but we have been adopted as children of God and fit for our Father's use and good purposes today.  He designed us, created our personality, gave us precise specifications according to His wisdom, and knows exactly what we need to fulfill our purpose to glorify Him.

How blessed we are to be called and purchased with the precious blood of Jesus!  Our lives are a testimony of God's redemption and love, for while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  God's plans for us are better than we could have ever dreamed for ourselves.  Even in our suffering God's grace is evident towards us as it is written in 1 Peter 5:10-11:  "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."  God does more than maintain us but transforms us from glory to glory.  When God allows suffering we are better for it, and what a glorious journey we are on by His grace.