December 14

“But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting.” James 1:6

I once had a Christian friend who was in urgent need of $150. At that time we lived in a riverside village where no ferryboat operated on Saturdays or Sundays. It was already Saturday and he needed the money for the following Monday. He prayed to God and became assured that the money would come to him on the Monday. As he went out to preach the gospel, he met his window-cleaner who reminded him that he owed him a dollar for work done; so he paid him from the remaining two dollars which he had in his pocket. Going on further he met a beggar who asked for alms. His remaining dollar seemed very precious to him, but he felt that he must give it all to the beggar.

As his last dollar went out, God came in. He became exceedingly happy, having nothing now to depend on but God alone. He returned home and slept peacefully. On the Lord’s day he was occupied as usual in his service. Monday came, and sure enough $150 arrived by telegram, even though this means of remittance was very costly. God may not be early, but he is never late! Only he is always right on time.

November 30

“Being justified freely by his grace.” Romans 3:24

The word here translated “freely” is the same as is translated “without a cause” in Jesus’ quotation from the Psalms: “They hated me without a cause” (John 15:25). Thus to say that God’s grace justifies us freely means that he justifies us without any cause or reason. Since grace is gratuitous, it is not at all conditional on the recipient's state. Those who consider themselves fairly good stand just as much in need of the grace of God as those who see themselves, like Paul, as “the chief of sinners.”

God will not give less grace to those who have sinned more, and more grace to those who have sinned less. In no sense at all is grace a reward. In the realm in which grace operates, both the sinner and his works are completely set aside. God saves us without a cause.