Gnosticsm & the Proclamation of Christianity with special reference to John's Gospel (Cont)

Jesus Christ the Redeemer
John 8: 12 (AV)

"The Christian believes that Faith in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, is a wonderful gift of the Grace [71] of God to the whole world."

"Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)

'Here is the incredible grace of God, his gift of life to men who, though living, would otherwise die, and it is here in truth, i.e. in reality, in the words and in the works of Jesus of Nazareth.' [72] Grace is God's love in action towards us sinners when we merit the opposite of love. Grace is mercy contrary to merit. The purpose of grace is primarily to restore our relationship to God by drawing us closer and closer to Himself. [73]

All that is necessary for Salvation is that I should answer Jesus' call 'Come unto Me' [74], and come. "Salvation is easy because it cost God so much; it is the manifestation of it in my life, day in and day out, that is difficult." [75]

Jesus cannot begin to do anything for a man until that man knows his need, knows that he is morally bankrupt in the sight of God and knows that he needs a 'Rescuer' because he cannot rescue himself. Jesus Christ can do this if He is asked. 'He can save the man who is a blatant pious hypocrite, as He can save the vilest piece of stuff that humanity and the devil have put together. If they will come to Him, Jesus Christ says to them, "Blessed are you"' [76]. Salvation is a free gift to all who come to Jesus when He calls.

71. Grace: a. The free and unmerited favour of God shown to man operating through the Redemption, (rescue through ransom), that is in Christ Jesus. b. Grace is a treasured Christian word. It occurs only three times in John 1: 14,16,17. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of Grace and truth. ... And from His fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. ... For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
    The word 'Grace' does not occur after chapter 1, but the meaning of this precious pearl of a word underlies the whole of John's Gospel and is brought out in full by Paul and Peter in their Epistles and in Hebrews.
72. John Marsh in "Saint Joan", p.264.
73. From J.I. Packer in "Knowing God", p.226,227
74. "Is it not humiliating to be told that we must come to Jesus! Think of the things you will not come to Jesus about. In every degree in which you are not real, you will dispute rather than come, you will quibble rather than come, you will go through sorrow rather than come. You will do anything rather than come the last lap of unutterable foolishness - 'Just as I am, without one plea / but that Thy blood was shed for me, / and that Thou bidst me come to Thee / O Lamb of God, I come.'" From "My Utmost for His Highest."
75. Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest."
76. From "My Utmost for His Highest".