The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out

by Brennan Manning

Just as John in the twilight of his life wrote largely of the love of Jesus, so Paul wrote lavishly of the gospel of grace: • The grace of God is the totality by which men and women are made righteous (see Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7). • By grace Paul was called (see Galatians 1:15). • God bestows His glorious grace on us in His Son (see Ephesians 1:6). • The grace of God appeared for the salvation of all (see Titus 2:11). • The grace of our Lord has overflowed with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (see 1 Timothy 1:14). • Grace is a store to which we have access through Christ (see Romans 5:2). • Grace is a state or condition in which we stand (see Romans 5:2). • It is received in abundance (see Romans 5:17). • The grace of God has abounded more than sin (see Romans 5:15, 20–21; 6:1). • Grace is given us in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:4). • Paul did not receive it in vain (see 2 Corinthians 6:1). • The surpassing grace of God is within the Christian (see 2 Corinthians 9:14). • It extends to more and more people (see 2 Corinthians 4:15). • Grace stands in opposition to works, which lack the power to save; if works had the power, the reality of grace would be annulled (see Romans 11:5ff; Ephesians 2:5, 7ff; 2 Timothy 1:9). • Grace stands in opposition to the law. Both Jews and Gentiles are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus (see Acts 15:11). • To hold to the law is to nullify grace (see Galatians 2:21); and when the Galatians accept the law, they have fallen fr...