The Gift I Could Never Earn

Romans 5:8 — “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

One day I caught myself writing a long list of actions I felt I needed forgiveness for. I had been treating grace like something I had to earn, until the Holy Spirit helped me understand that grace is not earned it is a gift. A gift Jesus died for us to receive, and a gift God longs to give freely.

I had spent so much time focusing on my imperfections that I didn’t realize God had already forgiven me the first time I asked. When I finally understood that I was the only one still remembering my shortcomings, I felt completely disconnected. We can allow our flaws and failures to hold us where we are, or we can come into agreement with His truth.

Accepting and believing that He forgives us not only helps us understand His love, but it teaches us to learn ourselves and extend grace to ourselves as well. Now, when I read verses like this, I understand that I don’t need to plead or beg for something my Father already promises me — a gift my Savior laid down His life for, a price He willingly paid.

As you learn to accept His grace, which is sufficient for you, I pray your heart is touched in a way that helps you experience the desire to love yourself, knowing you are enough. And I pray you extend that same grace to others, so that we may look more like Christ. The One who paid the ultimate price, a death He did not deserve.

Grace humbled me. It softened what had grown hard in me and taught me to love from a place of humility.

God, thank You for grace. Jesus, thank You for saving me. Please give me opportunities to love and forgive the way You still do. Amen.