Grace is like water flowing from the mountain of God. Its fresh stream is full, and you may drink of it freely. Earthly rivers flow between banks that change with the rains and seasons. But the borders of God’s river remain unchanged, for He always pours His grace in full flood. So great is God’s grace that He directs its flow through the greatest channel possible.
[He] predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will… (Ephesians 1:5).
…and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus… (1 Timothy 1:14).
As Timothy reads the words “poured out,” he has only to look a little way to see the great aqueducts of Ephesus. The Romans build these long, arched structures to bring clean water from the mountains to the cities. Around Timothy’s time, three aqueducts supply Ephesus. But the one true God pours His saving grace through just one aqueduct or channel.32
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time (1 Timothy 2:5-6). M
Jesus Himself shows that He gives grace freely to “anyone” in need. His invitation is open to all. He calls aloud, first to the Jews (John 7), then to every sinner of every race (Revelation 22).
Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price (Revelation 22:17). M
32. Research subject – Christ the only channel: John 6:46-48,53,68; 8:24; 10:7-10,16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Jude 1:25 cf. Isaiah 43:11; Hosea 13:4; Matthew 1:21; 11:27; 12:18-21; 17:8; 23:8-10; John 1:14,16,18; 3:16; 10:30; 12:44-46; Acts 10:42-43; 13:28; Titus 2:13; 3:4-6; 1 John 4:14
Picture: Romans built aqueducts such as this to bring water to their important cities. God freely pours His grace through the channel of His one and only Son (Ephesians 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:14; John 3:16).