Brennan Manning, the once Catholic priest, alcoholic, influential author always challenges me to rethink my theology, my concept of God, my understanding of grace and salvation. I ran across a quote again today that reminded me about the understanding of God's grace found in Titus 3.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Manning writes, "Do you live each day in the blessed assurance that you have been saved by the unique grace of our Lord Jesus Christ? After falling flat on your face, are you still firmly convinced that the fundamental structure of reality is not works but grace? Are you moody and melancholy because your are still striving for the perfection that comes from your own efforts and not from faith in Jesus Christ? Are you shocked and horrified when you fail? Are you really aware that you don't have to change, grow, or be good to be loved?" (The Ragamuffin Gospel p. 195)
The Apostle Paul and Brennan Manning seem to be on to something here...grace, God's grace truly is greater than all our sin!
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