"I Dreamed I Had an Interview With God"

 "THE REAL TRUTH"

After living a "decent" life, my time on earth came to an end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around, I saw the "prosecutor." He was a "villainous" looking gent who snarled as he stared at me, he definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a "kind and gentle" looking man whose appearance seemed very familiar to me.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the "judge" in full flowing robes. "HE" commanded an awesome presence as he moved across the room and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. As he took his seat behind the bench, he said, "Let Us Begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is "Satan" and I am here to show you why this man belongs in "hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I had told, things that I had stolen, and in the past when, sadly, I had cheated others. "Satan" told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even at my own lawyer, as the "Devil" told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at "Satan" for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my representative who sat there silently, not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I've done?

 
"Satan" finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in "hell," he "IS" guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was his turn, my "lawyer" first asked if he might approach the bench. The "judge" allowed this over the strong objection of "Satan," and beckoned him to come forward. As he got up and started walking, I was able to see him now in his full splendor and majesty. Now, I realized why he seemed so familiar, this was "JESUS" representing me, my "Lord and Savior." He stopped at the bench and softly said to the "Judge," "Hi Dad," and then "HE" turned to address the court. "Satan" was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, "the wages of sin is death and this man deserves to be punished!"

 
"Jesus" took a deep breath and turned to HIS "Father" with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted me as his "Savior," so he is mine." "My Lord" continued with, "his name is written in the "Book of Life" and no one can snatch him from me. "Satan" still does not understand yet, this man is not to be given justice but rather mercy."

As "Jesus" sat down, he quietly paused, looked at HIS Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done, I've done it all."

"The Judge" lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the following words bellowed from HIS lips, - "This man is free - - the penalty for him has already been paid in full, case dismissed."

As my "Lord" led me away, I could hear "Satan" ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I'll win the next one."

I asked "Jesus" as HE gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" "

"Christ" lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you................................

                                 "PAID IN FULL."

Romans 5:15, 17, and 20 speak of the "much more" grace of God. God's grace is "much more" than forgiveness alone. It provides "much more" than new birth and justification. God's grace is so rich and abundant that it is "much more" than we have yet experienced and "much more" than we will ever need for fullness of life and service in Christ.

Grace for Daily Victory

Romans 5:17 begins with a reference to the spiritual deadness that plagues everyone who is born into Adam's fallen race: "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one." Then, this majestic verse holds forth God's resources for becoming a person learning to live as a Christ-like spiritual overcomer: "much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Every believer in Jesus has received "the gift of righteousness," which grants us an acceptance in the family of a holy God. Yet, not every believer lives victoriously. In order to increasingly "reign in life," a Christian must be drawing by faith upon the "abundance of grace" that is available daily in the Lord. This abundant grace is "much more" than sufficient to bring us victory in our Christian lives.

Grace for Changing Lives

1 Timothy 1:12-14 indicates that the "much more" grace of God is also available to change lives. Therein, Paul confesses that he "was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man." Yet, he says the Lord put him "into the ministry." Verse 14 explains the resource that the Lord used to accomplish this transformation. "And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant." God's grace is "much more" than sufficient to transform insolent blasphemers into fruitful apostles.

Grace for Drawing Lives

2 Corinthians 9:14 tells of one group of Christians who are praying with yearning regarding another group of believers. "And by their prayer for you, who long for you." This verse closes by revealing what it was that created this spiritual longing in one group toward the other group. "Because of the exceeding grace of God in you." When the grace of God is abundantly present in the life of any believer, others can be drawn by that grace, yearning to pray for them, to be with them, to learn from them, to be impacted by that same grace of God. Even as I write this teaching article, my heart is stirred concerning various servants of the Lord world-wide whose lives are filled with the glorious grace of God. I too pray for them with longing, desiring to be with them, wanting to fellowship with them in that "much more" grace of God. God is able to make His grace abundant in our lives, that others will be drawn to us to be impacted by that same grace.

Dimensions of God's Grace

Ephesians 2:7 speaks of "the exceeding riches of His grace." God's grace is rich beyond measure. Ephesians 3:8 refers to "the unfathomable riches of Christ." God's grace is like an infinite ocean, whose bottom can never be reached. 1 Peter 4:10 alludes to "the manifold grace of God." God's grace is like a many-faceted diamond, each facet sparkling forth another brilliant aspect of God's marvelous grace. The grace of God is so "much more" than we have ever experienced or have ever thought it to be.

Warnings Concerning Grace

The grace of God is so vast and so vital. We must not relate to it wrongly. Jude wrote of some who were dealing inappropriately with God's grace: "ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness." Grace is not a license for sinning. Romans 5:20 and 6:1-2 speaks in similar terms: "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more . . . What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!"

2 Corinthians 6:1 tells of another improper relating to the grace of God: "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain." Since we work with God in ministry (not just for God), we need His grace as our resource for service. If we acknowledge God's grace, but accept it for other than or less than it is intended to provide, we are receiving it (at least partially) in vain. Grace is not only intended for our cleansing and new birth, it is also intended for our equipping and spiritual growth. The "much more" grace of God is BOTH His remedy to forgive sins AND His resource to transform the sinner.

Conclusion

How do we live by the "much more" grace of God? It involves humility and faith. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). God's grace does not flow into proud, self-sufficient hearts. "Through (Jesus) also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2). Day by day, in any and every issue we might face, faith in Jesus Christ accesses grace for that need or opportunity. Consequently, we will want to earnestly and consistently heed the invitation of Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." At that throne, we will find "much more" grace than we have ever imagined or will ever need.