Chapter 10

During an interview with C. S. Lewis, someone asked him what was most distinctive about Christianity as a religion. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shot back: “Grace.” Grace is God’s primary disposition toward us. God creates, sustains, reveals, exposes, disciplines, forgives, restores, and redeems because God is gracious. Grace makes repentance possible in the first place. Christians don’t have to bargain with God, earn something from God, or prove themselves to God. We simply have to repent, that is, turn toward God. Three Psalms and three stories help us to grasp the utter greatness of God’s grace.

Read Psalm 51; Luke 15:1-32

Psalm 36; Luke 7:36-50

Psalm 103; Luke 14:1-24

I rarely meet new Christians who know how to live in grace. They might be enthusiastic and grateful, having tasted grace for the first time in their lives, but they are far from having grace really sink in. They are far more excited about their conversion than they are about grace. It takes time to discover how vast and deep, how lavish and abundant, God’s grace really is. The first step in that process is to develop the habit of turning toward God, no matter what we have done, no matter how we feel, no matter where we are, no matter who we think we are. This turning—this repentance—should become an instinct, leading to a constant conversation between God and us. Here is the spiritual exercise for this chapter: turn to God first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. Start there. Turn to God and say a brief prayer of thanksgiving, of repentance, and of need. Whatever is on your mind, pray that to God. Continue to try this practice as you go about your day: a frequent turning toward God. If you need help, download the App “Lectio 365” and use it every morning and every evening. It will help get you started.

What did you learn about grace and repentance in the chapter, in your Bible study, and in the spiritual exercise? Do you find it easy or difficult to live in grace? What holds you back? What are your biggest struggles? What would it mean for you to live in the habit of turning toward God?

Psalm 36:5-9