Devotional Day 15: The Gift You Can’t Earn
Scripture:
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
Reflection:
I remember a time in my life when I received a truly extravagant gift. It wasn’t a birthday or a holiday; a friend just gave me something valuable simply because they wanted to. My immediate reaction wasn’t pure joy—it was panic. I started reaching for my wallet. “How much do I owe you?” I asked. “What can I do to pay you back?” It felt uncomfortable to receive something I hadn’t worked for. I wanted to earn it so I could feel deserving.
We often treat salvation the same way. We think if we pray enough, serve enough, or clean up our act enough, we can finally say to God, “There, I’ve paid for my spot in heaven.” But the Gospel says, “Put your wallet away.” Salvation is a gift, not a wage. You can’t earn it, and you can’t pay it back. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve simply because He loves us. Often, the hardest part of faith isn’t working for God; it’s letting go and accepting the gift.
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for trying to turn Your gift into a transaction. Help me to stop striving and start receiving. Thank You for saving me by grace alone. Amen.