But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:4-8
“But how great is the Lord’s indulgence! How great His condescension and plenteousness of goodness towards us, seeing that He has wished us to pray in the sight of God in such a way as to call God Father, and to call ourselves sons of God, even as Christ is the Son of God, a name which none of us would dare to venture on in prayer, unless He Himself had allowed us thus to pray! We ought then, beloved brethren, to remember and to know, that when we call God Father, we ought to act as God’s children; so that in the measure in which we find pleasure in considering God as a Father, He might also be able to find pleasure in us. Let us converse as temples of God, that it may be plain that God dwells in us.”
Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer 11.
As we “venture on in prayer” we start to realize our sinfulness with the publican (yesterday’s post) and God’s kindness and generosity (today’s post). He eagerly welcomes us to come to His presence in prayer.
The Lord’s indulgence toward us transforms us in at least three ways: (1) He finds pleasure in us, (2) He considers us family, and (3) He considers our bodies as His dwelling.
I hope you see the implications of this. It means that His “condescension and plenteousness of goodness” toward us have a purpose. He wants us to remain connected and dependent on Him while being conduits of blessing for Him.
Thank the Lord today for His indulgence toward you and reflect on the implications of this for your day and for the rest of your life. And remember me as I preach this weekend in Adelaide, Australia. Thanks.