In my research for a blog topic, I read this quote by Dallas Willard, former professor of Philosophy at USC who was touted as an icon for Christian scholars around the world.

Grace is not earned. Grace is not an action. Grace is freely given by God. Grace you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.

Being saved by grace means acknowledging that salvation is a divine gift, not something earned through our efforts or good deeds. Grace, by its very nature, is undeserved favor…God’s loving plan to rescue and restore humanity despite our sinful nature. No amount of moral striving, acts of charity, or religious rituals can bridge the gap between human failings and divine holiness. Instead, it is through faith in the redeeming work of Christ that we receive forgiveness and new life.

This truth humbles the proud and comforts the broken. It reminds us that we are not in competition for God’s love, nor do we need to prove ourselves worthy of it. Grace frees us from the constant pressure to perform, inviting us instead into gratitude and transformation. Good works then flow naturally, not as a payment for salvation but as a joyful response to it. They become evidence of a heart changed by mercy.
Having more money and power does not make us better or worse than those less fortunate. What matters is our faith and belief in what God has provided for us through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. How blessed we are. Thanks be to God!

Patty