What Do We Have to Offer People this Easter?

Author Phillip Yancey recounts the following story in his new book:

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. Was it incarnation, resurrection, or love? No, other religions had these elements, albeit in a different form. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. "What's the rumpus about?" he asked, and heard in reply that they were considering what was Christianity's unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."

That grace was made possible because of what Christ did that first Easter. He became our sin that we might stand before God forgiven. And it is this grace that He wants us to offer to others.

But we have a hard time with grace. It just doesn't seem fair that all the evil of the world should just be forgiven. What about justice? What about fairness? The best argument for grace is to consider the alternative. The alternative is revenge, bitterness, hatred, hardness, or retribution. We see it all around us in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, among people in our community and even in our own homes.

Only grace can break the cycle. Grace is the greatest thing that we can receive and the greatest thing we can share with others. May we be channels of God's grace during this Easter season.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4,5 - "Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed."

Action Point: Is there anyone you have a grudge against? Anyone you're not talking with because of some bitterness? Break the cycle by extending God's grace and your forgiveness.

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