Topic: Understand Grace, Walk In Faith [Monday September 25, 2017]
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God. — Ephesians 2:8 (AMP)
The vast majority of people allow God to help them only when they think they deserve it. At one time in my life I was that way. For years I felt that God should help me only when I thought I had earned it, when I thought I had done enough good deeds to deserve His help.
That kind of thinking doesn’t produce an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. If we think we deserve what we receive, then it is no longer a gift but a reward or “payment for services rendered.” The difference between receiving what we do not deserve and receiving what we do deserve is the difference between grace and works.
I encourage you to open your heart and allow God’s grace to come into your life to help you in your everyday walk. Always remember, when you feel frustrated, it is because you are living by your own effort and need to get back into God’s grace by allowing Him to work through you.
Learn to let God do you a favor. Give up trying to deserve God’s help and let Him supply your every need.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I realize the foolishness of only accepting Your help when I feel like I deserve it. I give up on my own works and receive Your grace. Thank You for helping me in every situation, even when I don’t deserve it.
