October

The more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God's abounding grace forgiving us.
Romans 5:20 (the Living Bible)

Grace

By Maurice Fullard Smith

Some religious people want to earn God's acceptance by serving others, by praying more, by faithful church attendance or by studying the Bible. Or whatever. To such people the message of unmerited acceptance seems utterly outrageous and offensive. They cry out that we are offering "cheap grace". But it is not cheap. It is absolutely free.

Strangely enough, although grace is free, it does cost us everything before we can ever enjoy it. Consenting that without God's grace we can do nothing to qualify for God's acceptance is the most costly thing of all to many would-be Christians.

This is surely what Jesus meant by "losing your life to gain it". Jesus and the apostle Paul were not speaking of a life full of overtly sacrificial acts, but by giving up that independence which keeps us from all blessing. We are beholden to mercy alone, beneficiaries of grace.

Even though this may be a very costly condition for many, what a wonderful offer it is to those who have longed for acceptance, to those who cannot make the grade under their own steam.