1474) There are times when I really enjoy reading something that truly stretches my mind and urges me to contemplate something I haven’t really thought about. Much of C.S. Lewis’ and Viktor Frankl’s works are gold mines of consideration. Their words have also encouraged and challenged me to write several “scholarly essays” and I have placed in two national writing competitions as a result. As I reflect on these things, I have added The Problem of Grace to my computer file titled Writing Ideas. I cannot give this topic the time it needs right now for a full essay, but I’d like to give you a brief taste of my thoughts.

As I read Psalm 86:5, I have two reactions. First, my heart swells with gratitude as I read the Psalmist stating God is forgiving and good, abounding in love. To love so much and offer forgiveness so readily is amazing to me. But, then comes my second reaction on the heels of the first and that is, If God is so ready to forgive, does this make grace a cheap thing? Or, put in a different way, I can really do anything I want because I know God will forgive me. Wow! Is this true? The answer to this question is where the “problem” of grace resides, so I’ll use this minute as a teaser to something I may address in a future weekly newsletter.

This question can be answered briefly for now by asking another question: Can a person who is truly devoted to God make His grace so cheap by holding an “I can do anything because God will forgive me” attitude? Maybe, but the bottom line is when God offers his grace and we accept it, when we come to him for forgiveness, he gives it and it is not cheap, it cost him his son’s life.

These thoughts lead me to conclude that the problem with grace or, better stated, the gift of grace lies in the price tag and who pays for it. That is worth contemplating.