Words of Grace

A woman started attending a church. After a couple Sundays she asked if someone from the church would be able to visit her.

The pastor and one of the church deacons went to her house and knocked on the door. They were greeted by the woman, and went in.

“I am so glad that you came to see me,” she said. “I really like the church, and I’m thinking about joining, but I just need to know how much it costs to join.”

The pastor smiled and said, “Oh, dear lady, you will be so pleased to know that the cost for joining our church as already been paid in full.”

Then she told of how the folks from the church she used to attend would come around once a year and tell her what she had to give just to maintain her membership there. She thought all churches charged a price to become a member.

The pastor assured the woman that nobody from the church would ever do that. He told her that they pass an offering plate, and that in it she could put money if she wanted to.

She was shocked to hear this. Then the pastor asked, “Can I tell you about that payment that has already been paid?” He had the privilege of leading her to Christ right then.

“Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”