“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” -Romans 4:3-4
God’s means of salvation remains unchanged. Every human being sins and we’re all unrighteous. Even Abraham! God never declares unrighteous people to suddenly be righteous because we’ve reformed ourselves, straightened up, flown right, or done great things for Him. God declares unrighteous people like us to be righteous based exclusively on His grace which we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe God about His Son and it is counted as righteousness. Even though we aren’t. That’s God’s gift of grace.
Grace – the only way by which sinful people can be reconciled to our holy Creator – is a gift, not a paycheck. It’s a gift to you from the supreme and holy ruler of the universe. God doesn’t forgive you, declare you to be righteous, love you, and adopt you as His precious child because He owes you anything or based on what you’ve done to improve yourself or please Him. If He did, he wouldn’t be showing you grace, He’d simply be giving you what you’d earned. None of us can earn God’s declaration of righteousness. Because we aren’t righteous. We’re selfish, rebellious, and sinful.
Your relationship with the most Holy God is only based on His grace. God doesn’t deal with you based on what you deserve or do. This is a very good thing! God’s grace toward you is like a vast ocean compared to any tiny drops of merit you could ever earn for yourself. Let God’s grace flood your life, your heart, and your mind. Dwell in it and delight in it. Remember how you received it – not because of anything you’ve done – but through your faith in Jesus and what He’s done for you on the cross and the empty tomb. #FollowJesus