The Grapevine
Number 189                                                                       

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

God's Provision
by Jack Northart

I remember a time when I was a young boy of perhaps seven or eight years old, and I was
standing in line at the grocery store with my mother who was waiting to check out with the
items that she was going to purchase. There was a clear plastic container sitting on the edge
of the counter that had a photo of a crippled child next to it. Inside the container were several
coins of pennies, nickels and dimes. I asked my mother what this was, and she explained
to me that it was a collection that you could voluntarily drop money into in order to help the
crippled child. I asked her if I could have a penny to drop into the container, and she gave
me one, and I dropped it in. I remember how good I felt about it because I was helping a
crippled child. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and worth.

Unfortunately, many people feel that God’s salvation is accomplished in a similar fashion. If
they live a good clean life, and give to the poor, and put up with injustices, and confess lack
and poverty, and admit their sin to all who will listen and do good works, that this will obtain
salvation and perhaps even eternal rewards.

Nothing could be further from the truth of God’s Word.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The first time I read these verses many years ago, it hit me right between the eyes like an
bullet! It was very humbling to say the least! My attitude up to that point had always been that
I had to DO something to prove my righteousness and my salvation. This “ah-ha” moment
gave me some serious food for thought. What was God’s grace all about? Why didn’t I have
anything to DO for my own salvation? Why would God give such a wonderful gift? What did
I DO to deserve such favor? The answers and the understanding of it all took much more
time to comprehend. But praise God, I had accepted the idea of what God was trying to tell
me! It was truly a step in the right direction.

Romans 10:2-3
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their
own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Although this record in Romans chapter ten refers to the nation of Israel, the same truths
are relevant of people throughout history and up to this present day. They have a zeal for
God, but not according to the knowledge of God’s Word. Traditions and edicts of religious
dogma have held more sway in their lives than a true understanding of God and His Word.
Man’s basic nature is to do something to show how righteous he is, which is an absolute
counterfeit. It is refusing God’s provision and subsequently, it’s a failure to obtain salvation.

Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

This verse states that “mine own righteousness” is of the law. The works of the law of Moses
required that you live by them and do them in order to be right with God.

Romans 10:4-5
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which
doeth those things shall live by them.

God made provision for us in sending His only begotten Son to fulfill the law, thus making a
new breed of spiritual men and women available for the first time. These are people that God
Himself has made provision for.

Galatians 2: 16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus
Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith
of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.

God’s provision for the salvation of mankind was and is Jesus Christ. The work that had to
be done to accomplish salvation he did. Jesus did the works and work that was required to
save mankind from the sin that resulted because of Adam’s fall and disobedience. It was
hard work too because it involved giving his own life to make it possible. All the works of the
law that were required to fulfill, Christ completed.

Romans 5:17-18
For if by one man's [Adam’s] offence death reigned by one; much more they which
receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one,
Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men
to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus Christ] the free gift came
upon all men unto justification of life.

So what do we do now? We believe! We believe what God has done through the
accomplished work of Christ. Believing is the key. We believe the good news, the gospel of
Christ, for therein lies our power.

Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
The just shall live by faith [believing].

God’s provision for our salvation is Jesus Christ. Up until the time of Christ, people offered
sacrifices for their sins with the blood of animals according to the law. But now that Christ
was sacrificed once and for all, there is no need for further offerings for sin.

Hebrews 10:1,4,12,14
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually
make the comers thereunto perfect. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and
of goats should take away sins. But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. For by one offering he
[Jesus Christ] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

It is when anyone accepts the accomplished work of God and Jesus Christ that brings
salvation, wholeness and deliverance. It is by believing that we begin and live this new life as
God established.

Romans 10:9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.