It seems to be deeply ingrained in human beings to want to earn whatever comes to us. In our pride we want to pay our own way, and not have to depend on the kindness of others. This often translates to religious life as well, with many world religions advocating 5 pillars or 10 steps in order to get what we need. But Christianity is totally different, it is a story not of us climbing to heaven, but of God coming down to us by Grace.
Questions for Reflection:
- In what ways have you tended to rely on yourself rather than God?
- Why do you think so many religions operate on a basis of earning?
- What is Grace?
- Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of working for love instead of working from love?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them