Though It Is True That

The Gospel Of Grace Nullifies Our Adulation Of Televangelists, Charismatic Superstars, And Local Church Heroes. It Obliterates The Two-class Citizenship Theory Operative In Many American Churches. For Grace Proclaims The Awesome Truth That All Is Gift. All That Is Good Is Ours, Not By Right, But By The Sheer Bounty Of A Gracious God.

The Forgiveness Of God Is Gratuitous Liberation From Guilt. Paradoxically, The Conviction Of Personal Sinfulness Becomes The Occasion Of Encounter With The Merciful Love Of The Redeeming God. "there Will Be More Rejoicing In Heaven Over One Sinner Repenting..." (luke 15:7). In His Brokenness, The Repentant Prodigal Knew An Intimacy With His Father That His Sinless, Self-righteous Brother Would Never Know.

My Trust In God Flows Out Of The Experience Of His Loving Me, Day In And Day Out, Whether The Day Is Stormy Or Fair, Whether I'm Sick Or In Good Health, Whether I'm In A State Of Grace Or Disgrace. He Comes To Me Where I Live And Loves Me As I Am.

The Sinners To Whom Jesus Directed His Messianic Ministry Were Not Those Who Skipped Morning Devotions Or Sunday Church. His Ministry Was To Those Whom Society Considered Real Sinners. They Had Done Nothing To Merit Salvation. Yet They Opened Themselves To The Gift That Was Offered Them. On The Other Hand, The Self-righteous Placed Their Trust In The Works Of The Law And Closed Their Hearts To The Message Of Grace.

Troubadours Have Always Been More Important And Influential Than Theologians And Bishops