In Phillip Yancey’s book, “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” he tells a story about a conference that was held sometime after World War 2 on comparative religions. Experts from around the world debated what belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. For instance, what about incarnation – the idea of God coming among us in human form? Nope, other religions had different versions of gods’ appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of people rising from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus?” he asked. When he was told what they were discussing, Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”
After some discussion, the conferees had to agree. The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. Every other religion offers some way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional.
If there is one word I hope would come to people’s minds when they think about First Christian Church it is “love.” May others always see in us the grace and love of Jesus – our savior, model and friend.