lurkette

So, I went to a Lutheran liberal arts college where I took a bunch of religion courses, but nobody has ever been able to explain to my satisfation the concept of being "saved by grace". Does anybody here have any insight? It's always struck me as very esoteric and random. Is it that God saves a certain number of people just...because? On a whim? Not because they were good people or did good things? Or are you good because of the grace of god? or what?

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Lebell

My first disclaimer is that this is my liberal Christain viewpoint, but most of it is pretty universal to mainline Christian denominations.

Being saved by the "Grace of God" means that God bestows His/Her spirit/presence and blessing upon you and enters your life ultimately resulting in your salvation upon death. I personally believe there are many people (here and everywhere) who are blessed with God's grace without being aware of it.

Other points to know:

- you can reject it (and salvation) through sinning (it doesn't mean ZIP! you're free from choosing to do evil)
- it isn't restricted to 'good' people. Christ ate with prostitutes and sinners. To the pharasees, "The sick do not need a doctor" and to the repentent thief on the cross, "Truly I tell you, you will walk beside me this day in paradise." Part of this grace depends on seeking it.
- it isn't restricted to a certain number of people. "My Father's house has many rooms."
- it is bestowed on anyone seeking it. "Knock and the door shall be opened." (There is no divine list or quota.)
- and of course, a person living in the grace of God tries to pass on the blessings of life and do good for their fellow humans.

Finally, fundamentalist denominations make a big deal about "Being SAVED", where they at one point made a commitment and Jesus entered their life. "You must be born again"

My personal belief is that you choose everyday to let God enter into your life.

So when someone asks me, "Are you Saved?" I reply, "I hope to be."

__________________
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

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dragon2fire

grace is granted through faith

you have faith in god then gods grace saves you


at least thats the simple version

BenChuy

Congrats on hitting on the biggest problem with defining a key tenant of the christian church. Grace is loving your kid when they beat the hell out of their sibling for doing something trivial. You don't want them to do it again, you are angry, but you don't HATE them. I guess that could be it. You screw up, but you are not HATED by God.

btw, it was more along the lines of the healthy do not need the doctor. The sick DO need one. that was the point.