THE PAIN OF GRACE

Just as the pain of loss can cause deep grief and sorrow… so can grace.

“All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful,” wrote Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964).
The change it causes is freedom and many cannot live with the grace and freedom of the gospel. Many simply find it too good to be true …and they are right. The need to perform and ‘do something for God’ is extremely strong in most people. When we learn initially that grace is without earning it can be painful.
As Dallas Willard (1935-2013) once wrote, “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.”
Change requires effort.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus