This article discusses the concept of the "ragamuffin gospel" as presented in Brennan Manning's influential book of the same name. The ragamuffin gospel emphasizes God's gracious acceptance of all people, regardless of how "ragged" or "broken" they may be. While Jesus welcomed and ministered to the outcasts of society, religious leaders opposed him. The article argues that as sinful people, we are all spiritual "ragamuffins" in need of God's forgiveness and grace. However, it also notes the delicate balance - while God's grace accepts us as we are, he also calls us to transformation from our sinful nature into the image of Christ through faith and obedience. Grace is

1. The ‘ragamuffin’gospel…?" –20th
November2016
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I
tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
The Cambridge Dictionarydefinesa ragamuffinas a dirtyuntidy childor person.The ragamuffingospel
isa conceptmade popularbythe best-sellingandinfluential bookof the same name,originally
publishedin1990. AuthorBrennanManning,a formerCatholicpriest,wrote the book“forthe
bedraggled,beat-up,andburnt-out”notforthe “superspiritual”.TheRagamuffin Gospelproved
popularwithseveral Christiansongwritersandmusicians,includingMichael W.SmithandRich Mullins,
whoformedthe RagamuffinBandin1993. Manning’sbooks,including TheRagamuffin Gospel,
emphasize the grace of Jesusinministeringtothe “ragamuffins”—theragged,disreputable people of
His day—the sick,the tax collectorsandsinners,the womancaughtinadultery. We canlearnfromthe
bible thatJesusoftenservedthese “ragamuffins,”while the religiousleadersof the dayopposedHim
and refusedtodirtytheirhandswithsociety’sproblems.
Thisarticle isa discussiononhowanunderstanding of God’sgrace playsoutin the livesof believers.
Manningsays,“We can’t earn God’sacceptance,anymore than we can earn our salvation.Yet God
givesitto us,willingly—nomatterwhowe are or whatwe’ve done.We are all ragamuffins.Eachof us
come beat-up,burnt-out,raggedanddirtytosit at our Father’sfeet.Andthere he smilesuponus—the
chosenobjectsof his‘furiouslove.’”Inotherwords,Jesusacceptsthe broken.He acceptsthose people
whoknowtheywill neverbe perfect.The ragamuffingospel saysthatwe can come to God in oursin and
ask forforgiveness. We canread in Isaiah 1, God offersthe invitationtocome toHim, thoughour sins
are as scarlet,andHe will make themwhite assnow. We can readthisfrom Isaiah1:18, “ Comenow, let
us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Thoughyoursinsare like scarlet, they shall be as whiteas snow;
thoughthey are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”.Assinnerswe can know that God desires
sinners tocome to Him as theyare,so that He can cleanse them.
Jesuscomesnotfor the super-spiritual butforthe wobblyandthe weak-kneedwhoknow theydon’t
have it all together,andwhoare not too proudto accept the handoutof amazinggrace” (The
Ragamuffin Gospel,page 27). Jesuscame to save sinners.Thisisstatedin 1 Timothy 1:15, “Here is a
trustworthy sayingthat deserves full acceptance: ChristJesus came intothe worldto save sinners—of
whom I am the worst”.It is importantforus as Christians tounderstandthe delicate balance thatGod
presents—Hisgrace totake us “as we are”and our willingresponse tonot stay “as we are.”
To fully understand graceand the balanceGod’s Word presents, we need to consider who we were without Christ
and who we become with Christ.We were born in sin and we were guilty of breakingGod’s law. We were enemies
of God deservingof death (spiritual death). We had no way to save ourselves:“ Therefore no one will be declared
righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin”
(Romans 3:20).Spiritually,we were destitute, blind,unclean,and dead. Our souls deserveeternal punishment
which is spiritual death.Therefore to say that we are all ragamuffinsisan understatement.
But thencame grace. God extendedHisfavortous.Grace is whatsavesus as we can learn from
Ephesians2:8, “Forit is by grace you have been saved, through faith—andthisisnotfrom yourselves,
it is the giftof God”.Grace isthe essence of the gospel andasstatedinsame Grace givesus victoryover
sinas we learnfrom James4:6, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“Godopposes
the proud but showsfavorto the humble.” Itgivesus“eternal encouragementandgoodhope” as we

2. learnfrom2 Thessalonians2:16, “Mayour Lord JesusChrist himselfandGodour Father, wholoved us
and by hisgrace gave us eternal encouragementand goodhope…”.
So howdo we keepthatgrace frombecoming“cheapgrace”—a“grace” that promisesall the benefitsof
Christianitywithoutrepentance orobedience.Cheapgrace seekstohide the costof discipleship,to
nullifyourwillingresponsetoGod’sgiftof grace. While we believethatGod’sgrace coversall our sins,
we can also acceptthat faithmanifestsitself inrepentance,obedience,andatransformedheart.
Believersare newcreations.
We come to God as ragamuffinsandacceptHis grace,and God callsus to renewal.Aswe acceptGod’s
grace inour lives,we donotstay insin.We seektobe transformedtothe image of Christ.He receives
us justas we are and thenbeginstochange us fromwhereverorhoweverwe were aswe submittoHim
inobedience. We canlearnthisfrom Acts 15:11, “No!We believeit is throughthe grace of our Lord
Jesus that we are saved,just as they are.”
Therefore we canknowthat: Yes,the gospel is intendedtoteach ragamuffins…justaswe are. But as
Christianswe mustalsoknowthat God doesnot leave peopleasragamuffins…He beginstochange us
to become a newentitythatsteadfastlyseekstohave aclose relationshipwith Godalways!.Therefore
we can learnfrom 2 Corinthians 5:15-19, “Andhe diedfor all,that those who liveshouldno longerlive
for themselvesbut for him whodied for them and wasraised again.16
Sofromnowon we regard no
one from a worldlypointof view. Thoughwe once regarded Christ inthis way, we do so nolonger.
17
Therefore, if anyoneis inChrist,the new creation hascome: The oldhas gone,the new is here!