MORE THAN USUAL CARNAL TRINKETS
Acts 3: 5
Many spiritually lame sinners have grown accustomed to the usual carnal trinket offered by the preacher. Sinners are brought by their friends to a place that should be beautifully filled with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ only to receive a message of what man ought to do for God. In like manner, after years of receiving the usual carnal handout, this lame beggar expected to receive nothing more than the same from Peter. Yet, through the gospel through Peter from his throne in glory the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth sent forth the sovereign command with power, saying, “Rise up and walk.” The Lord of heaven and earth takes hold of his redeemed, illustrated by Peter taking hold of the lame man. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ becomes the strength of the sinner, even as this impotent man received strength in his ankle bones and feet, the gift of faith whereby the lame leap up to walk for the first time. Through his gospel command the Lord Jesus Christ of glory unites sinners with their brethren and together they enter into Christ the true Temple. The sinner saved by the absolute, irresistible, free grace of God in Christ praises continually the Lord who healed him--much more than the usual carnal trinkets thrown out in churches today.