grace

"Grace, what have you done? Murdered for me on that cross."

It was just me and my roommate watching an episode of New Girl, eating lunch in between classes. There was a knock on the door. We both looked at each other because we weren't expecting anybody. I hesitated to open the door. When I opened it, there stood 2 younger guys. Looked my age. Dressed up in suits. Not anything suspicious. I introduced myself and my roommate joined me by the doorstep. We talked about where we were going to school, our studies, what church we attended, and asked them the same questions. They were very friendly. Then they got down to why they were at our doorstep. 

"Who is Jesus to you? What is the impact He's made in your life?" They asked. 

My roommate gave her answer and I agreed with her. They were good questions to consider as a follower of Christ. I figured they were just 2 guys from a youth group doing some outreach around the block. But then, out of their satchel came the Book of Mormon. I was taken by surprise that this was happening. I don't have much knowledge of other religions. They wanted us to keep the book and look at it. Thankfully my roommate is more bold than I and refused to take it. Her words were, "I'm just really grounded in what I believe. The Bible says we're not to add or to take away from it." They asked to pray with us and we hesitated but agreed to pray with them. 

We walked back in and were fairly shocked at the whole situation. 

A few hours later, I researched, googled, YouTubed, and read some of the Word to learn more about Mormonism. There were some similarities to Christianity and many other differences. The one main thing it came down to was grace. Mormons have a hard time accepting grace. The believe in works. They have to work to earn a higher status in the church. 

The truth is, our works are like filthy rags to Him.

Grace.

"But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift."

Ephesians 4:7

The Lord freely offers grace to us. It is a gift. I understand how it's hard for them to accept His grace. Most of the time, it's hard for me to fully grasp this. We can't, absolutely cannot do anything to earn His grace. It's a scandal! His grace is a scandal. He took our shame, our deepest sins, our punishment and we're suppose to just accept His gift to us? I mean, what is that? What are You doing, God? How do You think I'm going to take Your gift and not do anything? 

But He delighted in taking our struggles from us. He takes pleasure in giving us His grace. 

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; 

he adorns the humble with salvation."

Psalm 149:4

I could keep talking about grace and all of it's goodness but all I can think is.......grace. Wow. Just grace.