“What makes Christianity different from other religions?” If asked that question, how would you respond? Take a minute.
Decades ago, that query was central to a debate on comparative religions in which world experts sat together and presented their ideas.
Perhaps, God appeared in human form? Nope. Other religions had varying versions of that incarnation. Same with the resurrection. In the middle of the discussion, apologist C.S. Lewis entered the room and heard that his colleagues were determining Christianity’s #1 unique contribution among world religions.
It took Lewis no time to answer. “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” Lewis’s friends could not argue.
It was, after all, the only religion in which God’s love is unconditional. It cannot be earned. Jesus made sure of that.
Do you ever struggle with that? I sure do. Earning God’s blessings comes easier to me than merely being a blessing to Him.
If I rack enough “Good Girl” points, surely God is happy with me. So, I volunteer. I speak words of encouragement. I read my Bible. I pray. “God, you are noticing, aren’t you? Don’t forget to log today’s efforts into your little white book, okay?”
Philip Yancey simplifies “Grace” for us in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace? “Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more—no amount of spiritual calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries and divinity schools, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes.
And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less—no amount of racism or pride or pornography or adultery or even murder.
Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love.
Powerful stuff! Don’t you wish you loved like that? I do. Sometimes I have to remind myself to love irritating people, to love them with no narcissistic, yoyo strings attached.
You know, unconditionally.
But the truth is, it does not come naturally. Justice is an easier pill for me to cram down someone’s throat. People should get what they deserve. I mean, some crimes are simply unforgiveable…except, of course, not according to God.
Jeffrey Dahmer murdered 17 men, cut them up and cannibalized them. On death row, he had a conversion experience; he was baptized and asked Jesus to be his Lord, a story told in the book Dark Journey, Deep Grace.
His victims’ families and friends were outraged. Most claimed that he did not deserve grace. He deserved to rot in prison. Other loved ones who watched the interview in which Dahmer appeared contrite weren’t so sure.
When asked, “Is anyone ever beyond forgiveness?” no one felt comfortable answering the question.
It’s the Mt. 6:14-15 scripture that keeps on stinging: Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.
In other words, show Grace. Maybe, hopefully, someday it will come naturally.