Spring Always Comes

With it I am reminded of the magnificent, persistent grace of God. His grace, bestowed on those whom He has called in Christ, is an abundant, perpetual flow of unmerited favor. That means that in spite of our sin … our arrogance and pride … our miserable and repeated failure—God gave Himself through Christ's sacrifice. As such, life in Christ is totally secure and worthy of giving Him glory.

That cornerstone of the truth was instilled in me from the life and instruction of our recently departed chancellor emeritus, Dr. John F. Walvoord. A prolific writer, he once stated, "No possible human effort, however noble, can supply eternal life. The proper doctrine of regeneration gives to God all the glory and power due His name." I will forever be indebted to Dr. Walvoord for proclaiming and modeling grace. His mark on my life spurred me to expound that great doctrine.

Yet along with the biblical data comes the application of the great truth. Regretfully many miss it. Simply stated, our response should be, "Give God the glory." Why, you might ask? Listen to how G. W. Knight describes the responsive scenario:

"When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a day's pay for his time—that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy—that is a prize. When a person receives recognition for his achievements—that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award, yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor."

Simply stated, sin rendered us all incapable of earning God's favor. The consequence was death, which distanced us from our Maker. Yet God, in love and because of His great mercy, stooped and bestowed on us His favor—His unmerited favor—through the death of Christ. When we talk about the grace of God, that's what we mean.

How do we respond? In wonder and awe. In joy and gratitude. And we sing with Fanny Crosby, "give Him the glory—great things He hath done." Worship the Creator of the universe who chose to die rather than spend eternity without us.

Spring always comes; and with it comes an eloquent reminder of God's magnificent grace.

About the Contributors

Charles R. Swindoll

Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. His leadership as president and now Chancellor Emeritus of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and his wife Cynthia, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.