In my experience, most people prefer black-and-white answers, crisp edges and straightforward beliefs. I should knowâ??I used to be a legalist. In theory, I believed in grace. But I viewed it more like the extra help your workout partner gives you when youâ??ve already completed nine reps on your own and you need to get your chin over the bar to finish the last one in the set. Grace for me was an additive to my personal effort, perfectly blended in a 90/10 ratio, with law as the main ingredient and just enough grace to sweeten the pot and get me to the finish line.
On the surface, rules are easy and straightforward, virtually formulaic; do this, get that. Grace, on the other hand, doesnâ??t always afford this luxury. The problem with grace is that itâ??s messy. There are no hard-and-fast rules to apply; no lists to check; no iâ??s to dot or tâ??s to cross. Thatâ??s because grace in its purest form is about a relationshipâ??specifically, a relationship with God through the person of Jesus.
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