Darkened Glass Reflections

Tag: grace

  • The Words of Christ—Luke 18:9-14 (Pride)

    The Words of Christ—Luke 18:9-14 (Pride)

    Some thoughts about Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector.

  • The Words of Christ—Matthew 18:23-35

    The Words of Christ—Matthew 18:23-35

    Jesus told a parable about a man who had been forgiven an absurdly high debt who would not forgive a much smaller one. Let us forgive as we have been forgiven.

  • Forgiving as Children of God

    Forgiving as Children of God

    “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45.

  • The Word Became Flesh. V: Grace, Truth, and Glory in Plain Sight

    The Word Became Flesh. V: Grace, Truth, and Glory in Plain Sight

    “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for…

  • No Sin Beyond God’s Grace

    No Sin Beyond God’s Grace

    Is there any sin that God will not forgive? Can I commit any sin that God will not forgive?

  • Cheap Grace or Transforming Grace?

    “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

  • Repentance Brings God Joy—Luke 15:7

    Repentance Brings God Joy—Luke 15:7

    It does not matter how far you have wandered, or in what kind of mire you have soiled your soul. Forgiveness is available. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is seeking you. Run into His arms for protection and preservation. He is looking for a reason to celebrate.

  • Cheap Grace or Transforming Grace?

    German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined a phrase for such a distorted understanding of grace. He called it “cheap grace.” In his classic devotional, The Cost of Discipleship, he spoke of it as preaching “forgiveness without requiring repentance,” offering “communion without confession” and “absolution without contrition.”