Grace and self-indulgence (May, 2006)

Jay takes us from the Covenant's roots into Scripture to help us discern God's grace from its counterfeits, and see it for what it is: "God's most wonderful gift."

If we are not careful, the idea of grace will produce self-indulgence. The idea of grace can produce complacency. ... While grace is the gospel's great gift, "cheap grace" is a curse.

Jay asks:

• "How can we avoid turning God's most wonderful gift of grace into the hollow gesture of a bored deity?"


• "How can we ourselves avoid presuming upon such a gift, so that we experience none of its transforming effects?"

Like a spoiled child, I receive God's grace with hardly a moment's reflection.

You know those VISA commercials? "this thing ... $10 ... that thing ... $20 ... what it means ... priceless." That's where my mind goes when I hear "priceless." But God's gift of grace is truly priceless in a way nothing else is. O Lord, rescue me from Madison Avenue!

May you and I take a long hard look at God's amazing grace. May we see better who we are in light of it. May we better see the One who gives it. And may we be transformed.

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FYI:

• Brennan Manning's web site: www.brennanmanning.com.


• Brennan Manning's book: The Ragamuffin Gospel.