The Scandalous Gospel

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV) Grace. It's a word we use a lot as Christians. But do we really know what it means? And even more importantly, do we know its application to us and to the people around us? It's more than being kind. It's deeper than just God displaying favor toward us. In fact, I think my favorite way to think about God's grace is that it's scandalous. That's a crazy thought. Especially when you associate it with God. But there is something there that we must grasp. In a world where we want things to come out fair and we want our work rewarded, God's grace offends our sensibilities. It is given freely. Not to those who have earned or deserved it, but to everyone, even to those who don't deserve it. We fight against this idea and it raises questions. It's one of these questions that Paul must address to his opponents and the Galatians. And it's a question that we need to answer. And a question that will enable us to live a new life.