Read: Ephesians 2:8-9, Tituls 3:5
Every year, a kind woman in our church hosts a Christmas party for all the pastors. This isn’t your average cookie-and-punch kind of gathering. She goes all out. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is warm and festive, and she even gives each of us a thoughtful gift. But that’s not all—she also gives a separate gift for our wives! It’s overwhelming in the best way. None of us could ever repay her for her kindness, and honestly, she doesn’t expect us to. It’s pure generosity.
This is a beautiful picture of grace. God’s gift of grace is above and beyond what we deserve or could ever repay. But how often do we try to repay it anyway? Instead of simply receiving His love, we start making lists of good deeds and try to earn His approval. It’s like reaching for your wallet to pay for an extravagant gift—completely missing the point of the giver’s generosity.
The truth is, we can never earn God’s approval through our efforts. No matter how many good deeds we perform, they can’t erase the sin that separates us from Him. Isaiah 64:6 even likens our “righteous acts” to filthy rags when compared to God’s perfect holiness. This isn’t meant to discourage us but to point us to the beauty of grace.
Grace is the unmerited favor of God—His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that salvation is a gift, not something we achieve. It’s all about what Jesus has done, not what we do. This means we can rest from striving, confident that our relationship with God doesn’t depend on our performance but on His finished work.
As recipients of grace, our lives are transformed. We don’t do good works to earn God’s love; we do them as a response to His love. Grace frees us to live boldly, not to prove ourselves but to reflect His goodness to the world. Just like the woman’s Christmas party, grace is meant to be received with gratitude and joy, not repaid with obligation.
Reflection Questions:
- What are some ways you’ve tried to “earn” God’s approval?
- How does knowing salvation is a gift change the way you approach your faith?
- How can you extend grace to others in your daily life?