You don't have to earn a gift

It seems like we are hardwired to contribute to anything we are given.

We accept wages, they are our due for work given. If someone offers us something they are giving away, we feel we need to pay them or give a donation in return. When someone does us a good turn, we are in their debt - we owe them a favour. And even when it comes to presents at birthday and Christmas, we give, expecting to receive!

Such is the logic of our heart, and it is far from the way of God's grace.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:21-24

Grace works differently.

In his grace, God gives us something we could never earn. And he doesn't skimp. He doesn't give us a cheap knock off. No, he gives from his own. He gives us the righteousness of his son Jesus. He holds nothing back. We have it all. We are perfect in him.

And we didn't do anything to earn it.

It doesn't matter who you are - Jew or Gentile. Good living or seasoned sinner - we all get the same gift. The same righteousness. We are all made perfect - justified and redeemed - by Jesus Christ.

We must accept this gift in faith.

We must keep holding onto Jesus through faith. This is not a one off thing. It is constant, humble faith, which says - I need you today Jesus. I am not going to paint on a face of perfection... I am going to accept your perfection today.

Are you holding onto Jesus?