Dear SCC & Friends,
…grace upon grace… ~1 John 1:16
Reflection #207
I would be remiss not to render tribute to a dear friend and mentor, Charles Simpson. He entered into his eternal reward on February 14, 2024. Charles was a gifted teacher and pastor, casting a large and lengthy shadow over a span of sixty-five years. He loved the old hymns, and I can still hear him belting out “Amazing Grace” at the close of a gathering. He understood the grace of God and depended on it in every season of his life. My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. ~2 Cor. 12:9 It is grace at the beginning and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie on our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord! The Christian life starts with grace, and must continue in grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace. By the grace of God, I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ~Martyn Lloyd-Jones~
…For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace. ~Jn. 1:16 The Lord chose for Charles what he would never have chosen for himself. A reluctant preacher became a faithful advocate and dedicated ambassador of the Gospel. He never looked back… a leader’s leader who lived by faith in Christ and the blessed hope of the resurrection. He conveyed to me and countless others the spiritual reality of “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”. He will be greatly missed but now is home… Charles fought the good fight and has finished the course and kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to Charles on that day; and not only to him, but also to all who have loved His appearing. ~2 Tim. 4:7-8 …grace upon grace through many trials, toils and snares… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master.’~Matt. 25:21 We labor for that which is eternal… Keep up the good work!
Sola gratia,
Kevin