"See that in the literal crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, God invades without
a single “if.” Not “if” you repent. Not “if” you learn. Not even “if” you believe. The Absence of the little word, “if” the uncontingent, invading nature of God’s grace, shows God to be the power and victorious Advocate of the entire race of human beings. This is Paul’s grasp of the name Emmanuel, God with us.A mystery, the crucifixion is
God’s war in our favor, the event of His powerful invading grace, uncontingent on the fulfilling of a single presupposition from our side. On the apocalyptic battlefield, Christ’s death is for those who are under the power of Sin, and that means for all of us. Paul can even say in Christ’s death, God is the one who rectifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5). Here is the power of God’s grace: that Christ did not die for the righteous, for the morally acceptable, for the noble of heart. Indeed, Paul even sees in the crucifixion that Christ did not die for those who believe. Neither Christian faith nor faith of any sort is a presupposition to God’s invading apocalypse of love in the crucifixion of the Messiah. On the contrary, the crucifixion is God’s invading apocalypse of love in the crucifixion of the Messiah. On the contrary, the crucifixion is God’s revelation of that gift of grace that not assuming or presupposing faith, calls faith into existence."It always rejoices my heart to read such words, words of truth, words that tell us what God did, and for whom He did it. The operative words are "God" and "He". ALL is of Him - all we can do is say, "Thank You, Lord." Amen!
