Life in the Palmetto State: Grace, the gift of eternal life

"Grace, Grace, God's Grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Grace, Grace, God's Grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin."

Such sweet lyrics to a beautiful song and so poignant.

For the last few weeks and into the foreseeable future, I have and will be assuming the pastoral responsibilities for Greeleyville Baptist Church in sleepy little Greeleyville, S.C., until such time that a more permanent pastor can be located and called.

For these past few Sundays, we've been learning about grace and the supernatural gift that it represents.

First off, grace is God's unmerited favor. There is nothing you can say or do to earn it. It is freely given to those who are willing to receive it.

When you think about grace, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

It is a beautiful old hymn published in 1779 and written by John Newton.

Or was it a beautiful actress who married the Prince of Monaco and lived a storybook life?

Or is it the free gift that God grants us for eternal life? I choose the latter.

In my messages to the congregation, I outlined three aspects of the "state of grace" I believe that it possesses.

One: The second mile is the grace mile. In the Roman rule, Roman soldiers could make the local citizenry carry their heavy tools of war for one mile.

In a story in the Bible, Matthew 5:41, Jesus spoke about going two miles, an extra mile to emphasize that walking turned a humiliating demand into an act of unforced grace, love and personal freedom. The cast and directors of the "Chosen" portrayed that story so convincingly.

Two: Salvation is the first step to spiritual maturity.

The work of God's grace pardons us from our sins and bestows upon us the wonderful gift of eternal life.

Because of his love for us and his undying desire for us to join him in his Kingdom, He sacrificed his son on that horrific cross to die for our sins, the most unselfish act known to man.

Third: Hope, a promise for the future. Christian hope is a confident expectation of the future that is built entirely upon the foundation of God's grace. In the Bible, confidence means a firm trust, reliance and assurance placed in God and His character rather than in human strength or self-assurance.

Folks, it all boils down to this.

There is a free gift that covers you in the blood of Jesus Christ, guaranteeing you a seat on the bus headed for Heaven.

All you have to do is accept it and surrender your life to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I promise you it is worth the effort.

May God bless you!

Lee Reaves Jr. is president of Clarendon County Historical Society.