The Amazing Gift We Don’t Deserve

Daily Devotional – Friday, May 17, 2024
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)

The cornerstone of the Christian faith is grace, an unfathomable gift from God. It can be difficult to completely appreciate the scope of this idea because it is so profound. However, it is precisely this grace that characterizes our connection to God.

Grace: Unmerited Favor

Imagine being found guilty of numerous offenses and appearing before a judge. The consequences are harsh, but the penalty is just. But rather than passing judgment, the judge shows mercy. That is an example of grace: unmerited favour.

We frequently aim for perfection in our lives, thinking that our deeds will win us love and acceptance. But grace serves as a reminder that we are never good enough in our own right. It smashes the myth of independence and draws us into a relationship where our value is derived from who we are in Christ, not from the things we accomplish.

The Amazing Gift We Don’t Deserve

The apostle Paul reminds us that “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Grace is offered freely, but it is not inexpensive. God lost everything when His Son died on the cross.

Let’s accept the freeing reality of grace today. Putting aside our striving and self-blame, let us rest in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows and loves us completely. And may this awareness of grace spill out of our life, showing others the same kindness and compassion that we have experienced.

Prayer
Dear God, thank You for the amazing gift of grace that we do not deserve.