The One Thing

I wrote yesterday about one way in which the church can be a legalistic place -- a place where certain behavior and certain clothing is expected. To "swim against the tide" is to sometimes run face into opposition. Judgment.

And yet, according to Yancey's book, the characteristic which makes the church different is its ability to offer grace. We yearn for it, and the church is the only place we can find it.

Other organizations can feed the hungry, education children, or provides funds for scholarships and rent payments. The church can do all of those, but it is the only place where grace is offered for free.

How often do we fail in the one thing that makes us different?