8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. [Ephesians 2:8-10]

The question was once asked, "What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world?" One response was, "Christianity is unique in teaching that God became man. Someone objected, saying that other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? No, it was argued, other faiths believe that the dead will rise again. The discussion grew heated."

C.S. Lewis, a strong defender of Christianity, who joined the discussion a bit late, interjected, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."
Yes it is grace -- God's amazing grace that comes to us from the hand of God through Jesus Christ. It is yours to be had wherever you are. Just call upon the name of Jesus.

Unlike people of many of the world's religions, Christians do not have to jump through hoops to receive God's grace and mercy. All of the hard work has been done for us. It is simply by grace that we are saved. It is not by the things that we do to try and please God.  According to the Apostle Paul, we have nothing about which to boast.

Our salvation is the gift from God, "Not by works, so that one can boast." Christians are not required to do stints and place them in a newspaper and talk about how we won God's favor.

In the text, we are told that we were by nature objects of wrath. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ." This is indeed good news. Even though we deserve damnation, God sent his son into the world to redeem us.

Whether you want to believe it or not, we had no part in our salvation. When we were still enemies of God, he sent Jesus to die for our sins. God has accepted us as His children through the merits of Christ's crucifixion and death. We become partakers of salvation through faith, which is the hand that receives salvation earned by Christ. Brothers and sisters, when we consider the love of God and what he has done for us, we should respond by rejoicing.

Yes, even though our Lenten penitence does not suggest rejoicing, yet, as we make our journey to Jerusalem and look forward to Easter, we observe Lent with repentant joy. We know the outcome of the passion of our Lord. Believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Some people find it difficult to believe that it is so simple. But it is true.

John Newton, the author of the beloved hymn, "Amazing Grace," was a vile man before he became a Christian and subsequently a preacher. He penned that hymn to remind him of God's grace and mercy to him. He felt that even a terrible person like him could be redeemed by God's amazing grace in Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, wherever you are today, whatever your state, God's mercy is available to you.

Your sins cannot be too great for God. He can and is willing to fix you. As long as you live, you can receive that grace which is God's love in Christ Jesus. Believe it. Salvation is a gift from the hand of God. It is free, for all people. It does not matter who you are or what you have done. Jesus died to redeem you from your sins. When you call upon his name he will save you. Amen.

o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone: 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.

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