There is a story about C.S. Lewis attending an academic conference on religion. During the conference, several scholars were debating what, if anything, makes Christianity unique. Lewis walked in to the room, heard what they were discussing and said, “Oh, that’s easy. Its grace.”

I’m not sure if that story actually happened, but the story does illustrate a significant truth. Grace permeates the story of the Bible. The teaching that God would initiate a relationship with people based on his love for them and not what they might provide for him is one of the most powerful truths contained in the Bible.