In its context Tim Keller talked about how to give with no strings attached. It was really encouraging.
He later says that "grace is undeserved. It comes to us without prerequisites, finding us as we are. Gods grace does not come to the "deserving"(there is no such person), and it does not discriminate. It comes to us freely. But once it enters our lives, God's grace demands changes; it holds us accountable. Why? God's grace demands our holiness and growth for our sake as well as for God's glory. Grace intercepts destructive behavior, protects us from the ravages of sin, sanctifies us so we can be "holy and happy.". It does not say "Shape up or I will stop loving you." It says "Your sin cannnot separate you from me. I won't let your sin destroy you. Grace comes to the unlovely person but refuses to let him remain ugly. Grace begins as justification, a free act of God alone, but it becomes sanctification a process by which the person cooperates with God in spiritual growth."
What a mind boggling truth that I constantly fight against because I am unworthy.
As a struggle with personal sin, I reflect and meditate on this and I can only pray that God will help me renounce ungodliness and worldly passions in order to live a godly life that will reflect Jesus better. I too often let my sin shame me instead of enjoying how compassionate and merciful God is. Let me cling to this grace that no longer puts me to shame but I am declared righteous by the One who knew no sin!
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