Receiving Grace
Every other faith system I studied during my investigation was based on the “do” plan. In other words, it was necessary for people to do something - for example, use a Tibetan prayer wheel, pay alms, go on pilgrimages, undergo reincarnations, work off karma from past misdeeds, reform their character - to try to somehow earn their ways back to God. Despite their best efforts, lots of sincere people just wouldn’t make it.
Christianity is unique. It’s based on the “done” plan - Jesus has done for us on the cross what we cannot do for ourselves: he has paid the death penalty that we deserve for our rebellion and wrongdoing, so we can become reconciled with God.
I didn’t have to struggle and strive to try to do the impossible of making myself worthy. Over and over the Bible says that Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift that cannot be earned (See Romans 6:23; Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). It’s called grace - amazing grace, unmerited favour. It’s available to anyone who receives it in a sincere prayer of repentance. Even someone like me.
Receiving Grace | The Case for Christ | Lee Strobel | pp. 268-269