Martin Luther reminds us that God has justified us through faith. Not through our actions, our to-do lists, or the leadership roles we take on in the church. God extends mercy to us, no matter what we have done, or left undone.
But knowing that God gives us this grace, and freely welcoming this grace into our lives, are two very different things. It is hard to turn off the rewards-based part of our brain, urging us to sign-up for another church committee, or share our long prayer list on social media.
But that is what makes God’s grace so radical. You can never be a “better” Christian, and you will never be more deserving of this grace.
I invite you to step into this grace. Grace that you did not earn. Grace that you cannot lose in the future. Grace that will never wear thin or be taken back.
“Out of Jesus’ fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16).
This message is excerpted from “Accepting God’s radical grace” by SommerAnn McCollough in the May 2020 Café online magazine. Today we commemorate Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandra, 373.
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