|
Viewpoint from Colin Wooden 09/09/2016
Colin Wooden
 Gorleston Baptist Church
and
volunteer at the Great Yarmouth Seafarers Centre
also published in the Great Yarmouth Mercury
Grace and Glory
Those who frequently travel the riverside in Gorleston or the Heritage Quay in Great Yarmouth cannot fail to notice the huge variety of rig supply vessels that use the harbour. Along with the diversity of design, is the equally fascinating choice of names. Some depicting the spirit of exploration, such as Voyager; Searcher; Tracker, and Scout. Others indicate a quality of strength, like Warrior; Conqueror, and Champion, and still others the feeling of superiority with Honourable, Unbeatable, Untouchable, and Pre-eminence
It was two of the recent additions to the VOS fleet though, that caught my attention. With their bright red hull, beautifully shaped high bow, and the distinctive white 'V', the Grace and the Glory made an impressive sight in the harbour. (Pity we can't show the pictures)
 The names led me to think though, of the man in whom these attributes were seen and demonstrated to their fullest degree; none other of course than the Lord Jesus. It was John the apostle in his gospel that made this comment; "We have seen His glory, the glory of the Only Begotten Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth"
One of the dictionary definitions of grace is, 'an unmerited gift granted by God'. That is exactly what salvation is to those who trust the Lord Jesus as Saviour. From the pen of the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus we get this statement, "It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God". So when writing to the church in Rome, he points out that sinners are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus". No wonder John Newton in his famous hymn describes it as 'amazing grace'
Glory is an attribute that eludes most of us and is often temporary and fleeting for those who do achieve it. The apostle Peter in his letter summed it up like this, "All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flower falls". Not so the Lord Jesus. Another New Testament writer confidently writes, "We see Jesus…now crowned with glory and honour because He suffered death…for everyone". So the Christians' assurance is "Christ in you, the hope of glory". By the way, the Grace and Glory are a sight worth seeing
|
|
|
|
