Lisa Notes: The difference is Grace

The difference is Grace

C. S. Lewis walked into a room where some of his friends had been having a discussion for several hours. He asked what they were talking about.

They said, “We have been discussing what makes Christianity different than all other religions.”

C. S. Lewis said, “That’s easy. It’s grace.” And he walked out of the room.

He was right.

A single word captures the difference between Christianity and all other religions.

Grace.
~ Joe Coffey, Bob Bevington, Red Like Blood

I’ve seen Grace.
I’ve felt Grace.
I’ve been touched by Grace.

Now, nothing else will do.
It’s Christ or nothing.
I’ll take Grace.

He’s everything.

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
Psalm 40:11

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Julie · 691 weeks ago

wow...a man of few words and "nuff said"......indeed... a swift answer with a DEEP truth...no wonder...it's been around from eternity past...LOVE that we have GRACE to cover us in this walk. C. S Lewis was an amazing writer...love it. Hugs to you Lisa...Hope you enjoyed your "puppies" ;-) Have a wonderful day. xo
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1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

I love C.S. Lewis' economy of words. He could definitely cut through a lot of chit-chat to get to the heart of the matter.

And grace. Beautiful grace. What we would do without it? Crumble.

I did enjoy my hushpuppies last night. :-) They make my favorites list.
My recent post The difference is Grace

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toshowthemjesus 28p · 691 weeks ago

Yes, just one word. It changed everything. And it's the only thing that changes me.
My recent post On Worry and God’s Love

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

Exactly. I can't imagine being a disciple any other way. It would be such a hardship.
My recent post The difference is Grace

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floyd · 691 weeks ago

Unmerited favor, yeah that pretty much sums it up quite nicely. Sometimes the shortest answer is the most profound...
My recent post A LOUD MOUTH IN THE CROWD

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

I agree, Floyd. You're probably old enough to remember the E.F. Hutton commercials like I do. Sometimes it takes only the fewest words to deserve the most attention.
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HopeUnbroken · 691 weeks ago

ah, grace. sure could use a bit today :-) thanks for the timely reminder. love this. so simple, yet so easy to lose sight of at times.
steph
My recent post he offers love

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

Take all the grace you need. :-) It's a bottomless pit, thanks to the love of the Father.

And contrary to what our human nature may think, grace doesn't cause us to sin more, but to love more. God's ways are best. Praying your day gets better...
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Messy Marriage · 691 weeks ago

And "grace" is what God is constantly teaching me about lately. And, boy, do I have a lot to learn! It's great to be reminded by a giant of the faith that grace is so distinctive and so important to Christianity. Powerful words!

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

I think God has had me on a roll lately with grace too. For a few years now. :-) Both seeing my need to receive it and my need to give it to others.

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brian · 691 weeks ago

grace def seperates...that is what makes it so amazing....and that it is available to anyone regardless of your status in life....

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

Yeah, grace is no respecter of persons. Definitely different from a lot of other religions. We're blessed.
My recent post Coming clean

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alymae 22p · 691 weeks ago

I have a friend who is Buddhist. Many years ago, I tried to discuss grace, forgiveness, sin and transgression with him. There was no lightbulb -- he didn't see his need for grace nor forgiveness and didn't see how a God who is perfect could extend it. It still baffles me, that conversation with no meeting of understanding. It's even grace that reveals our sinfulness to us....
Amazing.
Thanks for this post -- I loved the story of CS Lewis, a man who can write words loftier than my understanding and here he says it in plain English!
My recent post If You Can Faith {testing possibility}

1 reply · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

That's interesting about your Buddhist friend, Alyssa. And sad. You're so right that even seeing that we need grace is a gift of grace itself.
My recent post Coming clean

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beverleyhirst63 50p · 691 weeks ago

Yes i have seen and felt Grace too. As for C S Lewis he was Irish not English as most people think and he spent most of early life denying that God existed. It was not until he went to work at Oxford University and met Tolkien that he became to talk and to think about God. He says he found God on the top deck of a number 73(?) bus in Oxford - amazing.
My recent post start again

3 replies · active 691 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

That is amazing about Lewis. Such an interesting background he had; I guess that's one reason he had such interesting things to say. Thanks for sharing this, Beverley.
My recent post Coming clean

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beverleyhirst63 50p · 691 weeks ago

It's because i read random books and read a Lewis and Tolkien biography. And Tolkien was the Dean of the University of Leeds which is just 10 miles from where i live.
My recent post start again

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

Cool! And good for you for reading so widely.
My recent post Coming clean

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journeytoepiphany 45p · 691 weeks ago

Grace is the difference for certain. I've been blown away in my Old Testament reading this year. In the past, I always saw the OT through the eyes of judgment. This year, all I see is grace. God provides a way to Himself. Isn't He wonderful? Thanks for joining in the fun over at Painting Prose!

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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

Oh, me too! I used to think grace was only in the NT. Wrong! Grace just drips off the pages of the OT just as much. Granted, God also reveals his wrath too, but his grace is far more the prominent theme.

Yes, the way he draws us to himself when we are so undeserving is mind-blowing.
My recent post Coming clean

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Jen · 691 weeks ago

I love his confidence -- the true ownership of his faith and how easily the overflow of his heart leads to such important words tumbling out of his mouth.
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Lisa notes 103p · 691 weeks ago

I would love to read even more of his words. I've heard his science fiction trilogy is worth reading just for the philosophy alone.
My recent post Coming clean

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