Understanding grace
by Anne Hansen
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For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Read Romans 6:12–23
A wealthy businessman, known for his demanding nature and harsh business practices, fell ill. Doctors told him his condition was critical, and he realised his life was nearing its end. He had always believed that success was earned through hard work and merit, and he applied this belief to his relationship with God, thinking he needed to earn his way into heaven.
As he reflected on his life, he realised he had accumulated many ‘wages’: possessions, achievements and a reputation for success. However, he also saw how much he had hurt others and how far he had fallen short of true love and compassion. He felt a deep sense of emptiness and despair, knowing he had nothing to offer God to earn his forgiveness or salvation. Then, a friend shared the message of Romans 6:23 with him. The businessman was stunned. He had always thought of heaven as a reward he had to earn, not a gift freely given. He began to understand that his good works and accomplishments were like wages, while salvation was a gift offered by God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
This is a story that any of us could probably relate to, even if not ourselves, someone we know. I cannot imagine living knowing that I must always try to earn merit points to win God’s favour. Understanding God’s grace is liberating. It is freeing, but it should not be taken for granted. God, in his great love for the world, decided at the beginning of time to put into place a way for us to be freed from our sin that would have condemned us to eternal death. In Jesus, God freed us, giving us a future and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Our good works then grow out of our thankfulness and faith toward a loving Father.
Live in the freedom, love and grace of God!
God of grace and love, fill my life with your love and give me a thankful heart. Help me to share this grace and freedom with others who need to know you more. Amen.
For 19 years, Anne has been the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer. She lives in Noosa with her husband, Mark (a pastor), has three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma – and is a proud new mother-in-law to Brooke. She enjoys walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
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