Paradox of Grace

Friday, February 3

Paradox of Grace
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

C.S. Lewis is considered to be one of the most influential of modern Christian theologians and philosophers. During a British conference on comparative religions, there was a raging discussion about what, if anything, makes Christianity unique from all other world religions. The debate continued for a long while, and then C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. They told him the question at hand and he immediately responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."

Most religions focus on our path to get to God.  Follow the Buddhist eight-fold path, get in line with the Muslim Code of Law, find your way out of the cycle of reincarnation, or even buy into the sacrificial system of the Jewish faith.  Then along comes Jesus and does all the work to restore us to the Father and freely offers us the benefits. All we need to do is repent and receive.

However, be cautioned that God’s grace is not cause for shoddy living. Paul addressed this when he wrote,  “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means… for we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with.” (Romans 6:1-2, 6 NIV)

This is the paradox of grace.  We receive it freely for the cleansing of our sins and that same grace drives us to not want to sin.  Both are vital to our lives. 

We must live under the assurance that there is grace that covers us when we fall short, and with the awareness of the costly nature of grace that drives us to honor God by how we live.