For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 The Living Bible

 

The generous gift of God's Son, as well as the costly gift of His life as a ransom for many, is the ultimate testimony of God’s grace. The triumph of the cross not only turned the tide of sin but also brought healing to our broken world. God in Christ did not stand outside our pain and struggle. He became one of us to help us. This is good news. God is both the God of grace and the God of liberation.

We need God's redemptive and liberative work in our personal lives as well as in our societal structures and systems. The gospel not only transforms individuals but also every sphere of life. In other words, the gospel is both spiritual and practical. We are not saved for our own sake. We are saved to go back into our world and make a positive difference.

God’s call for us is to hear our neighbours’ cries.

We have somehow made the Christian life all about us getting blessed, to the point where we have become blinded to the need for social justice and acts of righteousness. Worse still, what we often testified to as God’s blessing came at the expense of taking advantage of the weak, voiceless, and vulnerable. We got that promotion by disparaging our colleagues. We got that beautiful house by underpaying our workers. We got that brand new car by withholding our giving.

What we do with God’s grace reveals something about us.

If what we know about God’s grace does not lead us to act and behave in a way that confirms the truth of the gospel, then God’s grace is hindered. Nonetheless, God chooses to partner with us, despite the fact that we frequently obstruct His work or limit His power. This is perfect love. It always finds a way to express itself and inspire us to do everything for the glory of God and the well-being of others.