Grace Doesn’t Come From Duty
Tuesday, January 20
Grace Doesn’t Come From Duty
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-5
Grace is not something we offer out of duty, it is something we offer in response to having received it from the Father. Consider the words written in Ephesians 2 verses 4 and 5 “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”
You see, grace is something that flows naturally when we are filled with gratitude for being saved. If I were to say to someone, “I’m going to be gracious because I have to,” it would completely miss the point. Grace doesn’t thrive in obligation; it thrives in a heart that is overwhelmed by thankfulness for the grace we’ve received.
When I take time to reflect on who I am and all that God has done for me, I realize that I could never have earned, achieved, or deserved His grace. That is what makes grace so powerful. It’s not based on anything I’ve done but on the mercy and love of God. And because of that, I am motivated to extend grace to others, not because I must, but because I am so deeply thankful for what I’ve received.
When we grasp how much grace we’ve been given, we’re no longer just trying to follow rules or fulfill duties. We’re living in a response of love and gratitude.
Today consider how you can remember God’s love and mercy in those moments to inspire genuine grace?
Prayer for today: Father, thank You for lavishing Your grace on me, even when I didn’t deserve it. Help me live out of a heart of gratitude, not obligation. Teach me to extend grace to others because I remember how much grace You’ve given me. Amen.