A Daily Dose of Grace
In the United
States , many of the States - if not all –
have programs to screen newborns for some metabolic and genetic diseases. Those that show possible presence of a
disease are referred to specialists for further testing and treatment, should
they be diagnosed. This is important
because once the symptoms for these diseases appear they cannot be reversed. For some of the most popular diseases part of
the treatment is avoiding certain kinds of foods or lifestyle practices. For example, for PKU, a disease in which the
baby cannot metabolize phenylalanine; they lack the enzyme to process it, so
they avoid phenyalanins. Ever seen can
with artificial sweetener with a warning, “Phenylketonuerics: this product
contains phenylalanine.” In another
popular disease, Galactosemia, the baby lacks the enzyme to metabolize the
lactose in diary products. The treatment
for the most part is to avoid milk produced by animals, diary products, and
other foods with lactose.
One disease, Biotinadase Disease, is different. While the main reason for its existence is
also the lack of an enzyme – Biotinadase, the issue is not that the baby cannot
metabolize biotin, but that the baby cannot metabolize foods that will supply
biotin to the body. The body needs biotin
to in turn metabolize lipids and other fats.
The lack of biotin can produce developmental issues (even death in rare
cases). So, if the issue of this disease
is not the inability to metabolize foods to more basic and healthy components,
what is the treatment? The body needs
biotin, and when it cannot produce it you need to supply it yourself. The treatment is an intake of a daily dose of
biotin (typically shots). It should be enough
biotin so that the body can function normally as if it had no lack. This daily dose will help the patient live a
pretty normal life. To equip means to
supply. By supplying biotin the patient
is equipped to digest food properly.
And, in so doing, the patients can live normal lives.
So, imagine someone with Biotinadase disease that will not
take the biotin shots. They will develop
symptoms. They will try alleviating or
ridding themselves of the symptoms. In
the beginning some relief may be found, but in the long run it will be no
avail. The symptoms will fully develop. Now, imagine a Biotinadase disease patient
that believes that his or her problem is another disease, such as Galactosemia. He or she avoids foods with lactose, but the
body still needs biotin. Others may
believe they have PKU, so they avoid anything with phenylalanine, but the body
still needs biotin. Maybe they were
misdiagnosed, were not diagnosed at all, or were told a lie about it. They will still suffer from Biotinadase
disease. They lack biotin. The disease will progress and the symptoms
develop, unless the biotin is supplied to the body.
In principle our Sin problem is similar to Biotinadase
disease. We all have it. Paul says in Romans,
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no,
not one:
Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none
that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are
together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We do not have ways of producing inside of us what we need
to rid ourselves of Sin. So, the cure
must be supplied. We need a daily dose
of God’s grace. This is what Christ has
done. We read in Romans,
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
So, only Jesus can supply it. And He has supplied grace to every man, “But
unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of
Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). (A measure of
faith is also given to every man – Romans 12:3). And, it is by faith that we accept it (Romans
5:2). You can try to ignore the problem
or even misdiagnose it; you are still a sinner in need of grace.
Remember, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians
2:8). So, what is grace? The dictionary defines it as: a. the free and
unmerited favour of God shown towards man, and b. the divine assistance
and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification. Strong’s concordance defines it as: the
merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns
them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith,
knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. Both definitions agree that beyond just
unmerited favor, or undeserved mercy – which implies that it is a gift - grace
is a power or influence from God given to man to transform man into His
likeness. Paul elaborates on this
concept in Ephesians 2: 1 – 5 and 8,
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in
trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great
love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened
us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
It is grace that provides the right “spiritual nutrients” to
rid us of Sin and fill us with the Love of God.
Ellen White says,
“We are naturally inclined to desire our own way and will,
but when the transforming grace of Christ takes hold upon our hearts the
inquiry of our souls is, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" When
the Spirit of God works within us, we are led to will and to do of the Lord's
good pleasure, and there is obedience in heart and action....” (That I May Know
Him, p. 150).
The question is: will we by faith accept the grace of God?
