Over the years there have been so many extras that have been added to the teachings of Jesus that He wouldn’t recognize much of what most people think Christianity is. Heading the list would be the common assumption that to be a Christian you have to earn God’s favour by your own efforts. But Christianity is all about grace – God’s love for us despite what we are.
Philip Yancey said, ‘Jesus forgave a thief dangling on a cross knowing full well he’d converted out of plain fear. That thief would never study the Bible, never go to church, and never make amends to those he’d wronged. He simply said: “Jesus, remember me,” and Jesus promised: “Today you’ll be with me in Paradise.”’
It was another reminder that grace does not depend on what we’ve done for God but rather on what God has done for us.