The central concept of the gospel is also the toughest for many people to grasp. It is the concept of grace—that God gives us far more than we ever deserve.

We tend to grow up with an idea of “fairness”—that each person should get what he or she deserves. This carries over into our spiritual expectations. When it comes to our eternal destiny, a common idea is, “Good people go to heaven; bad people go to hell.”

The problem is: not one of us is good enough to merit a reward of eternal life in heaven. As Paul said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) If we get only the reward that we have deserved, we are in trouble.

The good news is that God acts with grace, supremely expressed in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus death and resurrection, God gives us forgiveness and eternal blessing; God gives to us the promise of heaven, even though we are not worthy of it. As Paul said, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Salvation is a gift! We do not have to earn it; we need only to receive it.

But this does not mean that we take the gift lightly. The gift of God’s grace is so great that when we truly receive it, it transforms our lives. We are moved to live in thankfulness and commitment to God, and we are moved to show grace to others.

How much is our world in need of grace! In an age of brokenness and despair and hatred, it is God’s grace that can heal—bringing us into fellowship with God, and enabling us to live in mercy toward one another. May we open our lives to that grace today.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Romans 3:21–26
Ephesians 2:1–9

Related posts:

Have Faith Saved by Grace Confirmation Under the Wings of Grace