During the trip in Utah, a conversation in a college campus cafeteria deeply enriched my confidence in the Christian Gospel.
Amidst a sea of students and tables, my friend, and I settled into a warm conversation with a new friend who attended the college we were at. For two and a half hours, we discussed what she believes and what we believe, learning a lot about the other’s worldview, considering meaningful questions, and discussing differences. Then, the girl we were talking to asked us what the central message of Christianity is.
My friend Hailey and I had the opportunity to clearly communicate the Gospel.
We talked about the truth that God created us to be in relationship with Him, the reality of our sinful nature that separates us from Him, the truth that God is good and just, the gift and greatest act of love of Jesus laying down His life for us, the sufficiency of Christ alone for salvation, forgiveness, grace, and a restored relationship with God, and the hope of eternity with God the Father for those who place their trust in Jesus alone. As we shared the Gospel, we discussed the doctrine of grace with our friend according to Ephesians 2:8-9, which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast.”
At this moment, our friend said, “Wow, that must be so freeing.” That statement about the freedom of grace given to us by Jesus alone truly deepened my understanding of the Gospel and my gratitude for it. In comparison to LDS theology on grace, which our friend lived under and shared that she constantly felt the impossible weight of, the Christian Gospel is one that fully relies on what Christ has done for us and the gift of grace found in Him. That got me thinking, as a follower of Jesus, whom Christ has completely set free from sin, do I live as someone who is free?
Do I still live as someone trying to earn my way to God? What would it look like to live my whole life out of the truth that God is able to save completely those he sanctifies and to stop striving for the grace that He has already given? Since that conversation in a college cafeteria, I have marveled daily at the gift of grace found in Christ. It has transformed my personal life with Christ, and it compels me to help others experience the same freedom.
Sarah Beth Morrow. Class of 2027
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