Is There a Guest List for Grace?

Mark: Growing up, I pictured salvation like a guest list at a door, and I was pretty sure my name wasn't on it. Does it actually work like that?

Sarah: Mark, I used to picture the same thing. Here's a line from a letter traditionally credited to Paul, written to a man named Titus. Listen to this.

Scripture: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

Mark: Okay, but who's it for, really? Right before that, it sounds like he's giving instructions to Titus and to servants.

Sarah: Good catch. Just before it, he's talking about how servants should live. Then he says grace has appeared, right after speaking to servants.

Mark: But I've blown it plenty. Doesn't there have to be a catch, like getting good enough first?

Sarah: Look at what Paul says a few lines later: Jesus gave himself for us, to redeem us. That sounds like a gift to me. I still fall short all the time, and grace is the only thing I'm standing on.

Mark: So nobody's too far gone for it? Not even someone who drifted a long way off?

Sarah: The passage doesn't speak about that directly, but it says grace brings salvation to all. You could try telling God honestly how you feel. Grace has appeared for all, and you can always reach out to me. Follow along for more conversations like this.