Purely Grace

October  2021

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

I was blessed to serve on a three-person panel discussion on evangelism, where I shared with young adults that they have a wonderful opportunity granted by God, according to 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Because of His love, we can be the first person with skin on to love the lost unconditionally, pointing them to Jesus. When I arrived the night of the panel discussion, I met one of the panelists, Natalie. She was a lot smarter than me, having at a very young age already become a nurse, graduated from Seminary, been employed in the workforce, and become a powerful evangelist. She told the story of witnessing for Christ on the job with an avowed Buddhist. This led to many intense conversations outside the workplace, yet on the job, they strongly bonded as colleagues and peers. The good news is that she found out after she moved away and came to our city, her former Buddhist friend received Christ as his Savior and is now studying Hebrew! I asked Natalie to what she attributed consistent success in her various walks of life, and why God has blessed her so much. She is very humble, thought for a moment and then responded, “Purely grace!” Natalie has great gratitude for God’s grace. And I was so blessed about a month later because my friend Ryan, who attended the evangelism panel discussion, spoke with a young woman at work. “I’m into witchcraft,” she stated. Ryan asked, “Do you believe that the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friend?” (John 15:13) She agreed, as Ryan slowly befriends her—a good example of quietude [Credit: Barbara S.] in Christ. It’s exciting to think that one day she may live free in the truth of Christ, (John 8:31, 32) because of the gospel of grace. (Galatians 1:6, Ephesians 3:7, Philippians 1:7) In John 1:14, “Grace is put first, even though grace and truth are blended,” according to Charles Spurgeon, prince of preachers. “The two rivers unite in one fullness, ‘Full of grace and truth’ that is to say. The grace is truthful grace, grace not in fiction nor in fancy, grace not to be hoped for and to be dreamed of but grace every atom of which is fact; redemption which does redeem, pardon which does blot out sin, renewal which actually regenerates, salvation which completely saves. We have not here blessings which charm the ear and cheat the soul; but real, substantial favors from God that cannot lie. Then blend these things the other way. ‘Grace and truth,’ the Lord has come to bring us truth, but it is not the kind of truth which censures, condemns, and punishes; it is gracious truth, truth steeped in love, truth saturated with mercy. The truth which Jesus brings to His people comes not from the judgment seat, but from the mercy seat; it hath a gracious drift and aim about it, and ever tends unto salvation.” [Credit: The True Tabernacle, and it’s Glory of Grace and Peace, A Sermon (No. 1862) Delivered on Lord’s-day Morning, September 27th, 1885, by C. H. SPURGEON, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington]

I was shown God’s grace the next day when He granted me a wonderfully placid early morning walk on the trail near our home before the heat of day set in. I took two gospel handouts and tried to prepare in prayer as I walked. Most of my encounters were simple friendly greetings. Two ladies approached as we enjoyed the beauty on the trail. “Makes all the worries of the world go away,” one lady said, “The cool of the morning is a great blessing,” I responded, to which she quickly agreed as we passed one another. I often use the word blessing, hoping that in some small way, people will ponder the true meaning of blessing, and one day recognize that Jesus is the ultimate, remnant blessing. At the pond a man was enjoying time together with his little daughter. There was no natural opportunity to offer the gospel, so I continued around the pond. But as I walked, I noticed that they were rapidly approaching from behind, however I knew in my heart and mind that it was impossible that he would accept a gospel handout. But the Holy Spirit transformed my impossible, improbable, and impractical, into His reality. I stopped for a moment as they were about to pass, asking if I could give him a gift for his daughter, to which he was quick to agree. After I gave him the gospel handout for his daughter, with smiling faces, they both thanked me multiple times. And walking back home from the same trail one day, not having been able to share the gospel with anyone, God brought an unexpected grace blessing to me in the form of a small stone! Above a small stream, propped up against a sign on the fence post (Unsafe/Unstable Bank — Keep Off) was a colorful and beautifully painted stone with three crosses, symbolic to me of Christ, the living Stone, (1 Peter 2:4) placed there by someone of whom perhaps only God and a few others knew. I picked it up, rushed home to scan it, then brought it back to its original home on the post. Thank you, Lord, for all your children carrying out your Kingdom work like living stones, (1 Peter 2:5) “…I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:10)

I didn’t expect to have three surgeries in nine months—nor did I expect God would open so many witness opportunities within the medical profession, from doctors to entry-level medical assistants, all created in God’s image. With God’s help I try to make Gospel-driven every thought, word, deed and prayer at some level in some sense. When I asked Antonio by phone at the hospital if I could speak with the nurse or doctor about a complication from surgery, I had a bad attitude and a hardened, impure heart. By God’s grace, He settled my spirit so I could tell Antonio that Jesus loves him greatly. “Thank you very much,” he responded. Two days later I took a big risk at the hospital, planning to give a copy of Jesus Joy to the nurse, Bea, who had not been initially open to the gospel. However, over several months we developed a growing positive conversational exchange. But my worst fears were confirmed when I re-entered the patient room where the book with her name was gone from the chair, and there was no sign of Bea—my worst nightmare, I thought! She certainly must have been upset with the book gift, walked out and was now refusing to speak with me. Not a good development as I faced another surgery, with her being my primary nurse contact. Great news! Satan lost another battle. We spoke later in the day by phone and she was thankful for the book. Hallelujah! I was excited to see what God would bring as I went through the surgery process again, hoping for additional spiritual connection and friendship with Bea; along with the surgeon who received Jesus Joy, and possibly even medical assistant Samantha at the Covid testing site for the fourth time, after she recently received a copy of Jesus Joy. Against all odds, while in my car I was directed from my lane, to switch lanes to the right, where I discovered Samantha again. This time she was outside registering patients, for a change of pace. I asked if she had made the life changing decision for Christ. She said, “Yes.” However, she had yet to start attending Church. She asked me where I go, which is quite a distance away. She promised to find a Church that teaches the Bible. On the day of surgery God allowed me to gift the gospel of peace, His Word, to Michelle at check in, Diana at surgery registration, volunteer Hailey, transport person Anderson, surgical nurse Amy, operating room nurse Christine, and post-op nurse Brittany. The first day after surgery was ragged, and I began to wonder if I would make it. The event reminded me of time Jesus said to Peter, “Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” John 21:18 “It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the Word of the Lord?” [Credit: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, John 21:15-19] “He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus was not exempt from death—in the context of this deep scriptural passage, He tasted death for us.

I asked if she had made the life changing decision for Christ.
She said, “Yes.”

I was greatly blessed by a wonderful friend, Greg L., who sent a hand-drawn encouragement card [Never Stop Praying] on what would turn out to be one of the toughest medical days of my life. Stamped on the back of the card was Hebrews 13:25, “Grace be with you all.” As I continued to struggle through the post-op recovery, on the third day I was reminded of Simon Peter’s spiritual struggle, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) God rescued me from the pit. I was praying for hours, begging God to provide relief from intense stomach pain, suffering from impacted bowels and dry heaves simultaneously, both of which aggravated my surgical pain. My medical condition was becoming more desperate by the minute, and I knew it was not going in a good direction. Having no other discernible options, I started to dial 9-1-1. After dialing 9, then 1, something caused me to stop. I don’t know if it was a phone call, my wife speaking, the neighbor entering the door, or other undetermined grace blessing from God. With the advice from the surgeon on call, combined with the help of two nurse friends in our neighborhood, one with an enema accidentally left behind at her house by her daughter, I was spared possible damage to my bowels from serious bloating, along with a night trip to the ER with no caregiver for my wife. The opposite side of the coin from this frightening moment was that it forced me to face God straight on, unencumbered by the dissipation and entanglement of worldly issues. I absolutely knew His grace was sufficient, for His power was made perfect in my weakness—He provided as promised right down to the nanosecond, even if I had ended up in heaven from complications! What mercy and grace wrapped in His love! [Paraphrased Credit: Suzi S.] A few weeks later I went back to the surgeon for my follow-up visit. As we discussed pain issues in recovery, he said that often young people have more pain following surgery than older people, “Perhaps because our nerve endings are less sensitive than in younger people. That’s the only benefit in getting old that I can think of,” he stated! As I left his office, I pondered what he said, and realized that the Bible has a very different and wonderful perspective on many benefits of aging. “He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age…” (Ruth 4:15) “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,” (Psalm 92:14) “Grey hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31)

The book of Isaiah, summarized as the overarching sovereignty of God, futility of the nations, faithlessness of man, faithfulness of God [Paraphrased Credit: Pastor Dave Strunk] to me points powerfully to the Holy One of Israel’s purely grace gift to us, Jesus Christ. After the prophetic imagery of God’s anger toward rebellious Israel, e.g., mountains shake, (Isaiah 5:25) He promises to restore the remnant with the as yet unidentified Immanuel, God with us. (Isaiah 8:8) He is the sign, a person, a child born, a Son given, the pivot point in history, [Credit: Unknown Pastor] the foundation of our faith: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, (Isaiah 9:6) Yeshua, Jesus the Christ, the blessing, the remnant. The Lord’s anger against Israel’s pride and arrogance of heart is yet not turned away, but His hand is still upraised, a statement of grace. [Paraphrased Credit: Unknown Pastor] Christ is the only ultimate answer to the question, “What will you do on the day of reckoning,…?” (Isaiah 10:3) And Isaiah’s active covenant language assures us of His many promises—bring good news (prefiguration of Christ’s deliverance from sin—they can’t earn His acceptance and love—they can only receive it through His crucifixion and resurrection.), my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail, proclaim peace and salvation, bring good tidings, raised, lifted up, highly exalted, act wisely, took up our infirmities, carried our sorrows, pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, brought us peace, by His wounds we are healed, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 51-54)

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) “In some Arab cultures, the word for bread means ‘life.’ Bread is viewed as sacred and lifegiving. If a piece falls, it’s quickly picked up from the ground and kissed reverently.” [Credit: Bob P., Frontiers, Summer Update 2021] As we received salvation through faith by the Forgiver and Giver of Grace, [Paraphrased Credit: Professor Charles E. King, J.D., MBA] may we testify to the good news of His grace to those who do not know Him and offer them the Living Bread who came from heaven to give life to the world. (John 6:33) I’m reminded of GraceFull Community Cafe, a local cafe with a mission, where the hungry and homeless can receive a free meal.

On a recent Sunday morning at Church, we were blessed with God’s grace through a children’s lesson, three Baptisms, a missionary friend’s commissioning, and a convicting gospel message sermon. Curiously, our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. B. was a high school drunk decades before, and my missionary friend Emory being commissioned, came from a background of drug addiction as well as his friend Rodney, also in attendance, who shot up with heroin before God used Emory to witness to him, leading to his physical and spiritual salvation. Rodney wore a cross with 8 skulls symbolizing his previous demons, along with his large tattoo of a skeleton on its knees praying [Rodney’s prayer] to God to save him from the casket—certain death. When I see what God did in their lives, I realize He can use even me! Then late in the afternoon I headed out on the trail toward the pond. I carried only two gospel handouts, not really expecting to see God at work. As I approached the pond I saw some boys fishing, so I stopped and asked if I could watch as they caught several little throwbacks. I felt insecure, fearful in proclaiming Jesus to them because of the trouble it caused me previously with other young people. So, I started praying, asking God to show me what to do. After about 20 minutes I thanked them and told them I had two copies of Bible verses, but since there were three of them, I apologized. Michael accepted one, Davis passed, but Trevor accepted the other and said he would share it with Davis! I thanked God and prayed for the boys after I left. The next day I was out on the trail again, came up behind a man walking ahead of me. I immediately got frustrated with the idea that I was at a dilemma again as to how or whether to proclaim Jesus. I soon realized it was not my dilemma, but God’s. I just needed to be obedient regardless of what He did, especially because Jesus carried His own cross, (John 19:17) so I need to take up my cross and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23) Eventually we chatted for a while as we walked together, and then Chuck kindly received God’s Word, after which I prayed for him when we parted ways. It was exciting as I headed for home, because I looped around and stopped at a community garden area. One of the first small boxed-in gardens was named, “Seeds of Hope.” That’s what I trust God had just done by allowing me to serve Him in His work. A few days later I saw Michael fishing again. “What did you think of the Bible verses?” I asked. “They were good,” Michael responded.

Upon leaving a grocery store, I was unexpectedly given a chance to gift children with the Gospel. I passed a young couple with two young children, one walking and one in a large baby buggy. A few feet past them, the Holy Spirit gave me the courage to turn around, go back and ask the husband if he would allow me to give his two children a gift. He was quick to agree and immediately placed them in the hands of his two children. It was probably quick for him to recognize that the red heart/cross graphic was good news. And as I toured a prospective assisted living facility for my wife and me, the marketing representative who helped me was a bright young beautiful single woman named Nikki. I gifted her a copy of Jesus Joy, for which she appeared convicted and grateful, as I pray for her salvation. However, on the bulletin board at the grocery store where I place gospel handouts, they often disappear, but I never know the causation or dynamics involved, whether they get trashed or have an impact, but I do trust God to bear good grace fruit that lasts. And while on the phone with Ericka at the neurology movement and balance department of a major university medical school teaching institution, I told her Jesus loves her greatly. “You take care,” was her quick, stoic response, seemingly uninterested in the Savior’s message. In a wonderful true story entitled skipping grace?, a 6-year old daughter refused to eat at a neighborhood potluck because they didn’t say a blessing. She was then asked to thank God for the food. “That day I witnessed a seed growing that God had used my daughter to plant,” her mother stated. [Credit: Farrah Adkins] And I appreciate Pastor Gary Thomas expressing his thankfulness to his wife through a year-long journal he wrote. “That journal was a gift to me long before I presented it to her,” he stated. In like manner, when we present the Gospel, it is often a gift to us before we proclaim it to the lost. May the warm winds of God’s grace lovingly flow through our testimony.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20:24

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek