Ephesians 2:7 ‘That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.’’

The revealing of Christ to us, in us and us in him, is a distinguishing token of God’s grace and a firm foundation on which we are built and established unto God as sons. This forms the entire context and inexhaustible content of the gospel and when taken out this context, there is no gospel. The gospel does not present us with a moral code and tell us ‘Live up to this, do this and do that, play your role and God will do same’’, nor does it set out a system of prefabricated religious doctrines which says ‘Think like this, say this or that’’ before you are admitted into the company of God. No! The gospel speaks exhaustively of how we are unconditionally loved and accepted by God. And that there’s no demand placed on us, no box to fit in but an open space to freely bask in his boundless love for us.

Our opening text declares… ‘That he might show…’’, the word ‘show’ is from the Greek word meaning: to exhibit, to put on display like a work of art, to demonstrate. It’s God’s idea to put on display the riches of his grace, his kindness to us in Christ. That’s what the gospel is all about: a showcase of God’s grace in his kindness to humanity in Christ, not the showcase of humanity's faithfulness or ability to God. It is a relationship strictly initiated by God. It is not religion: one which man initiates!

‘Religion is man seeking God in the heat of the sun. The gospel is God seeking man in the cool of the day.’ Simeon Edigbe

Religion is a game of hide and seek in which God is sought and he was found, one in which man is primarily the wooer and God the wooed. Religion is a cage. It is about regulations not relationship. It places a demand on your ability towards God. It says: ‘Do this and God will love you, do that and earn his favour.’’ ‘If you want to see his hand upon your life sow a seed, seek his face in fasting and he’ll show up or rather might just show up’. Religion paints a picture of God that is not informed by Christ: a God that is needy, an Oliver Twist who is never satisfied no matter what you do as He’s always asking for more. Religion is a multi-million dollars hell insurance company with the message of ‘accept Jesus and avoid being burnt in hell.’ .....

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