馬克因酒後開車被警察攔下，他非常害怕，以為自己的大學橄欖球生涯就此結束，自己也肯定會被送進監獄。但出乎意料之外，那位警察只是把馬克送回他的大學校園。當馬克問起原因時，警察說：「我願意對你法外施恩！」

但馬克仍相信教練會發現此事，自己也會失去獎學金。所以在隔天的訓練結束，教練要求與馬克談話時，他心中忐忑不安。但沒想到教練卻說：「我知道昨晚發生的事，但我願意對你格外開恩。」教練還建議馬克下週日去參加教會聚會。

馬克真的去了。猜猜牧師講了什麼？耶穌的恩典。在我們不配得的時候，耶穌願意將救恩賜給我們。馬克對此深有體會。那天他接受耶穌為救主，並用餘生來服事耶穌。他甚至開設一個牧場，幫助那些需要恩典，得到第二次機會的男孩。

因著上帝的恩典，所有信耶穌的人都能「得救」（以弗所書2章8節）。恩典成就了善行無法完成的事（9節；羅馬書11章6節），這恩典是耶穌藉著在十架上的犧牲賜給我們的禮物。

我們不必被罪的重擔壓垮。正如馬克所體會到的，上帝的恩典能釋放我們，並賜下「更豐盛」的生命（約翰福音10章10節）。當我們接受耶穌為救主，恩典的大能會使我們得自由（以弗所書2章4-5節）。

When Mark was pulled over by an officer for driving while intoxicated, he was afraid his college football career was over. He was sure he was going to jail. But the policeman instead dropped him off at his college. When Mark asked why, he said, “I’m giving you grace.”

Still, the young man was certain his coach would find out, and he’d lose his scholarship. So when his coach asked to see Mark after practice the next day, he was very apprehensive. Surprisingly the coach said, “I know what happened last night, but I’m giving you grace.” He then suggested that Mark consider attending church the next Sunday.

He went. And guess what the pastor talked about? The grace of Jesus in offering us salvation when we don’t deserve it. Mark got the message. That day, he trusted Jesus as Savior, and he spent the rest of his life serving Him—starting a ranch for boys who need a second chance—who need grace.

It’s by God’s grace that believers in Jesus “have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace does what good works can’t do (v. 9; Romans 11:6). It’s a gift provided by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

The burden of our sin doesn’t have to weigh us down. As Mark discovered, God’s grace can free us and give us life “to the full” (John 10:10).