Day 2 — Grace Is a Gift
Scripture:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
— Ephesians 2:8
Reflection
The workers in the vineyard didn’t all work the same number of hours. Some worked twelve hours. Some worked nine. Some worked six. Some worked three. One worked only one hour. Yet they received the same daily wage.
Jesus wasn’t teaching that our earthly employers should ignore contracts or pay everyone the same regardless of their work. He was teaching us something about God’s grace. Grace is undeserved favor. We cannot earn it. We cannot work enough for it. We cannot serve long enough to make God owe it to us.
Salvation is a gift. Think about the thief on the cross. He had no opportunity to spend years serving Jesus, teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies, or giving to the poor. He simply turned to Jesus in faith. And Jesus promised him paradise. That’s grace. The longtime believer and the brand-new believer both stand before God because of the same thing:
Jesus.
Our salvation isn’t a reward for how hard we worked. It is a gift from a gracious God.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. Forgive me when I act as though I have earned what You have freely given. Help me rest in Your grace and live each day with gratitude. Amen.
Today’s Challenge
Take five minutes today and thank God specifically for something you could never earn but have freely received from Him.
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