Human Merit vs. God's Grace
Mankind generally thinks in terms of merit. We get what we deserve. That our effort earns reward. We work hard and attain a level of achievement and with that comes recognition and approval. This merit-based thinking shapes the way we approach success, relationships, and even our sense of identity.
Grace is just the opposite. It is unmerited favor. Grace is always freely given and undeserved. And the greatest grace ever given in all of human history was the grace of God in sending His Son to the cross to die for our sins. John 3:16 says, "God loved the world (that is everyone) so much that He gave His uniquely born Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him shall never perish but have every lasting life." We did not deserve for God to judge His Son with whom He had an eternal relationship, but He did and He did it out of love for us. It is the greatest gift every given. All we have to do is unwrap the package through faith in Christ.
Grace is what distinguishes Christianity from all other religions and ideologies. Religion states that man by man’s own efforts can gain the approval of God. But that is not true! There is no work, no amount of good deeds that we can do to earn God’s favor. God is absolute perfect righteousness. Do we really want to take our relative good deeds for a lifetime and compare that to the righteousness of God? There is no comparison. Isaiah 64:6 “All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags in God’s sight”
I challenge you to consider the person and work of Jesus Christ and accept God’s grace gift to you today! Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.”