By Grace Alone

As we land on another month and a fresh new season, I am reminded of the great privilege we have in being part of a community that thrives on faith, hope, and love. That only happens because of the foundation we believe a life should be built upon. Unlike the world, whose measure is one’s ability to achieve greatness, Christians know we owe everything to God’s amazing grace.

Let me share a powerful quote by Tim Keller that struck a chord with me: “A salvation earned by good works and moral effort would favor the more able, competent, accomplished, and privileged. But salvation by sheer grace favors the failed, the outsiders, the weak, because it goes only to those who know salvation must be by sheer Grace.”

Are these words not the very essence of our Christian faith? They serve as a gentle reminder that salvation is not a reward for our abilities, accomplishments, or privilege, but a divine gift bestowed upon us by the boundless grace of God. In a world that often measures worth by success and self-sufficiency, our faith stands as a beacon of hope for the marginalized, the downtrodden, and the lost.

But wait, don’t read those last few words and not find yourself among that lot. Grace levels the playing field, extending its hand to those who have stumbled and fallen, to those who have felt like outsiders, and to those who recognize their own weakness. It reminds us that none of us are beyond redemption, and no one is too broken to be made whole. Grace is the great equalizer that unites us all under the banner of God’s love poured out through Jesus our Savior.

River Region Christians seeks to share this amazing grace each month. Inside these pages is the light of God’s love and salvation. There’s no great message for us to soak up and spread together. As we navigate the challenges of our daily lives, let us hold fast to the truth that salvation is not a prize to be earned but a gift to be received. Our faith is not about being perfect; it’s about being perfectly loved and forgiven by our Heavenly Father through the atoning work of Jesus. Understanding this is the foundation of our Christian walk and takes us down path of humility, compassion for all.

Let’s embrace this grace with open hearts, and let it flow through us to touch the lives of those around us. Let us be a community that exemplifies the radical, inclusive love of Christ, where the weak are made strong, the outsiders are welcomed, and the failed find redemption.