Because of Bethlehem, I have a Savior in heaven. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the cross. And because he did, there are no marks on my record. Just grace. His offer has no fine print. He didn't tell me, "Clean up before you come in." He offered, "Come in and I'll clean you up." It's not my grip on him that matters but his grip on me. And his grip is sure.

Since he bore the sin of the murderer and adulterer, he felt the shame of the murderer and adulterer. Though he never lied, he bore the disgrace of a liar. Though he never cheated, he felt the embarrassment of a cheater. Since he bore the sin of the world, he felt the collective shame of the world.

My salvation has nothing to do with my work and everything to do with the finished work of Christ on the cross.

If you fear you've written too many checks on God's kindness account, drag regrets around like a broken bumper, huff and puff more than you delight and rest, and, most of all, if you wonder whether God can do something with the mess of your life, then grace is what you need.

I have never been more or less saved than the moment I was first saved. Not one bad deed has deducted from my salvation. No good deed, if there are any, has enhanced it. My salvation has nothing to do with my work and everything to do with the finished work of Christ on the cross.

CHAPTER 2: THE GRACE-SHAPED LIFE 1. Jim Reimann, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (Nashville: Word Publishing, 2001), 16. 2. Ibid., 29—31.

The law perfected nothing, but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19

He adds: "I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts." Hebrews 10:17

see 1 John 1:8—9; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8—9).

Believe that Christ died for you. He suffered for you. He won the battle over sin for you. He rose from the grave and was victorious over death so that you can live forever.

I [will] not go to heaven because I am a preacher. I am going to heaven entirely on the merit of the work of Christ.

He was about to take upon Himself the sins of men. He was to become sin for us.