God saves people not based on who we are or what we’ve done. He saves based on who He is. This message is both counterintuitive and beautiful.

It’s counterintuitive because we somehow think salvation is best earned (and re-earned), and that we must play the leading part. God could not be that extravagant and benevolent toward us to give us something that’s that good undeservedly, could He?

But indeed, He is!

God is not like other “gods.” They demand satisfying performance first. They are capricious, unloving, detached, inept and indifferent. They overpromise and underdeliver.

With them we have to endlessly prove our worth before we hope to get any scrap of assured playing time. Not so with Him. He defies prove-your-worth logic.

God’s salvation is also breathtakingly beautiful. It’s this beautiful because it’s based on His unconditional, extravagant, scandalous love. That love brings grace and mercy to centerstage and gives these two all the playing time needed for us to get wins in life … for life.

Grace saves. That way He gets the credit He’s due, and we express our worship as it’s really supposed to be expressed. Crazy love, indeed.

Yep, it’s grace that saves. It’s grace that keeps. It’s grace that leads us home. So stop trying to do life and earn favor with God without it.

And don’t allow others to live without experiencing your grace-giving too.

Reflect: Are you saved? If not, why not? How much playing time is grace getting in your life? Any adjustments needed? Are you extending grace to others as it’s been extended to you by God and others?

A prayer to consider: Lord Jesus, thank You for saving grace, amazing grace. Help me to rest in this, worship You well, and be great at extending grace to others as it’s been extended to me. Amen.