A seminary professor had a

practical way of illustrating the biblical concept of God's grace and

forgiveness. At the end of his course he would hand out the final exam

with strict instructions to read it all the way through before beginning.

As the class members read through

the exam, it became clear that students had not studied nearly enough.

It was an impossible test. The further they read, the worse it became.

On the last page, however,

was a note that read, "you have a choice. You can either complete

the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom of the page and in doing

so receive an 'A' for this assignment."

What? Get an "A"

for just signing it? The point then dawned on the stunned students, and

one by one they turned in their papers and filed out of the room with

a new appreciation that forgiveness cannot be earned.

The creative professor later

shared with the students some of the reactions he had received through

the years as he had given the same exam. There were always some who did

not follow instructions and began to take the exam without reading it

all the way through. Some would sweat it out for the entire two hours

before reaching the last page. They suffered unnecessary anxiety.

Then there were those who would

read the first two pages, become angry, turn in their paper blank and

unfinished and storm out of the room. They never realized what was available

and lost out totally.

Then there was the student

who read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to

take the exam anyway. He didn't want any gifts, he wanted to earn his

grade. He made a C+, but could have easily received the free "A."

This story vividly illustrates

many people's reaction to God's solution to sin. Many spend their entire

lives trying to earn what they discover later is freely offered to them.

Others look at God's high ethical and moral standards and say, "why

even try?" Then there are those who are simply unwilling to receive

God's gift of forgiveness. They strike out on their own, trying to get

points from God for their good works. They do not understand that salvation

is a free gift.

The Bible says forgiveness

is available to all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His

one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but

have eternal life" (John 3:16). But forgiveness is not automatic.

Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter

the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

The only way to receive forgiveness

is through receiving Jesus Christ into our lives. Jesus was God's solution

to the world's sin that separated man and God. Jesus was sacrificed on

the cross in order that we can experience God's gift of forgiveness and

so we can have eternal life. We have to accept this free gift by placing

our trust in Jesus and inviting Him to come into our lives, asking Him

to forgive us.

As we move into the Easter

observance, we reflect on the significance of the cross. Jesus died for

us. He paid the price for our sinfulness. He arose from the grave as He

conquered sin and death. And He lives forever.

Dr. David L. Chancey is

pastor of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family

invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and

worship at 10:55 a.m.

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