The Grace Rules

The theme for Lent at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church is "Forty Days of Grace; How God's Grace Makes Us Just." God's unmerited favor toward us in Jesus Christ is meant to change you, to make you better as a person and to align you with how God wants the world to be. It is a challenge, because God's grace pulls you out of yourself into the world around you.

Grace applied to your life means that your life has to change. God is good to you, without regard to your merit. Your life is not all yours anymore. With that in mind, some "grace rules" help you conduct yourself accordingly. With grace, there is:

* No bragging. Your life is blessed not by your own efforts, but by God.

* No whining. Don't negatively compare yourself to others.

* No revenge. If someone has done you wrong, leave it with God.

* No reward. Do good without regard for reward. Leave that with God, too.

These little rules of thumb are good ways to go through a day. As Lent progresses, there will be more.