I Cannot, I Will Not

Happy Reformation Sunday!

"I cannot, I will not recant..." Martin Luther, tormented by an awareness of his own sinfulness rediscovered the wonder and miracle of grace for all of us. Once he knew the truth, there was no going back. Thankfully, we are made right with God by grace through faith. Knowing that changes everything. We're left to live out of gratitude rather than fear.

Grace us getting what we don't deserve. It's unmerited favor. All of us need grace. Those of us who have received it, should dispense it as generously and freely as it was given to us. Grace leaves us free to love God and our neighbor with a whole heart.

We live in a performance based world. At work perhaps, it has to be that way. But in our relationships, grace is what we need to give and receive. May God grant us hearts to love Him and others with the generous grace with which we've been loved.

And thanks, Martin Luther, for the courage of your convictions.