Grace is a word frequently heard around Churches and Christians, but for all of its usage, it is one of the least understood truths of the Bible. If I ask someone what the difference is between the Law and grace or what is the difference between the Old and New Testaments, I am frequently met with a blank look. If asked what grace is, the usual response is it is God's free gift of salvation. This is true, but the Law is also a free gift from God given to us through Moses. However, the Law does not provide us with a way to salvation; it only points to our need for salvation. The idea of grace being a free gift means that God's grace cannot be earned nor is it something that can be merited or deserved. It is distinct from the Law of God because under the Law we are expected to perform perfectly for acceptance, while those under grace are urged to perform because we have already been forgiven and accepted by Christ. Better yet, we are never held to a requirement for perfection because we are accpted in Christ just as we are. God has told us much more about grace and living the Christian life under grace than to simply tell us it is a free gift. Actually, grace is our ultimate gift for eternity, and God has said so much about grace and it's place in every Christian's life in His Word, the Bible that we should all be experts by now. Dr. Bryce Jessup, President Emeritus of William Jessup University, describes Basic Grace in this way. "David Ashwell's book, Making the Grace Connection, is a book rooted in scripture, flows through his life experiences, and grabs the heart of the reader to explore personal application. The material deals with the theoligical implications of grace and how as humans we frequently distort it in our contemporary church life. The book provides encouragement to those who feel trapped in their guilt and are given to self inflicted despair. Anyone who reads this book will be empowered in some fresh ways to grow in Christ. However, those who have struggled with a legalistic journey, or a faith walk that was disconnected from fulfillment should read this book to help in the challenge of balancing grace and truth." I couldn't have said it half as well as did Dr. Jessup. I was forced in a most loving way] to write this book to pass on what God has been teaching me about grace these past forty years. So please hop aboard and see for yourself I promise you won't be sorry