The Gift You Can’t Earn
“They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:24
Most of the things we value in life have to be earned. We work hard for a paycheck, we train to achieve goals, and we strive to prove ourselves in the eyes of others. That mindset can make it difficult to understand grace. God’s way of salvation does not operate on human terms. It is not something we earn, achieve, or deserve. It is something freely given. Salvation is not a paycheck for good behavior; it’s a gift of mercy.
Paul wanted believers to understand that we are “justified freely” by God’s grace. The word justified means to be declared right in the eyes of God. It is a legal term that describes what happens when God looks at us and no longer sees our guilt but instead sees the righteousness of Christ. That kind of forgiveness and freedom could never be bought or earned. It can only be received.
When we try to earn God’s acceptance, we end up exhausted and discouraged. No matter how hard we try, our good works will never outweigh our sin. That is why Jesus came. He lived the perfect life we could not live and died the death we deserved, offering us His righteousness as a gift. All we can do is stretch out empty hands of faith and receive what we could never afford.
The grace of God humbles us because it reminds us that our salvation has nothing to do with what we bring to the table. It is all about what Jesus has already done. The cross is the great equalizer. It levels the ground beneath our feet and reminds us that every believer stands before God because of mercy, not merit.
If you have received this gift, live in gratitude and confidence, not guilt or fear. You do not have to keep trying to earn what has already been given. And if you have not yet accepted it, the offer still stands. God’s grace is not for sale. It is free for anyone willing to receive it.
Salvation is not a transaction. It is a transformation. The greatest gift you will ever receive is the one you could never earn.
Most of the things we value in life have to be earned. We work hard for a paycheck, we train to achieve goals, and we strive to prove ourselves in the eyes of others. That mindset can make it difficult to understand grace. God’s way of salvation does not operate on human terms. It is not something we earn, achieve, or deserve. It is something freely given. Salvation is not a paycheck for good behavior; it’s a gift of mercy.
Paul wanted believers to understand that we are “justified freely” by God’s grace. The word justified means to be declared right in the eyes of God. It is a legal term that describes what happens when God looks at us and no longer sees our guilt but instead sees the righteousness of Christ. That kind of forgiveness and freedom could never be bought or earned. It can only be received.
When we try to earn God’s acceptance, we end up exhausted and discouraged. No matter how hard we try, our good works will never outweigh our sin. That is why Jesus came. He lived the perfect life we could not live and died the death we deserved, offering us His righteousness as a gift. All we can do is stretch out empty hands of faith and receive what we could never afford.
The grace of God humbles us because it reminds us that our salvation has nothing to do with what we bring to the table. It is all about what Jesus has already done. The cross is the great equalizer. It levels the ground beneath our feet and reminds us that every believer stands before God because of mercy, not merit.
If you have received this gift, live in gratitude and confidence, not guilt or fear. You do not have to keep trying to earn what has already been given. And if you have not yet accepted it, the offer still stands. God’s grace is not for sale. It is free for anyone willing to receive it.
Salvation is not a transaction. It is a transformation. The greatest gift you will ever receive is the one you could never earn.
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