"And if by grace (we are saved), then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Romans 11:6
A woman I met shared with me that her efforts to convince her husband to follow her in the Catholic faith went unrewarded. "He said it's too much work," she stated sadly.
On the flip side, there are some who feel they must suffer in their penance to earn grace. In disbelief, I read the story of Agnes de Roucher who took piety to a ridiculous level when she, of her own accord, lived in a narrow cell built within the wall of a church. She allowed herself to be sealed from society at age 18 until her death at age 80, having never exited her cell. No one ever told her Jesus was the key to redemption.
Why is it so burdensome to believe in the free gift of salvation? Is there shame in denying one's ability to get out of a mess and surrender to a crucified Savior? Maybe it's our pride? Satan has been goading us from the get-go that we don't need God; we can do it ourselves. This memorable line I copied from a devotional: "God dispenses gifts, not wages." Surrender all to the "Word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us." It's so refreshing to worship One who is full of grace and truth. (see John 1:14-16) Just relax and let grace be grace!
"Not what my hands hath done,
Can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh hath born,
Can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do
Can give me peace with God.
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears,
Can bear my awful load."
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