.....buy

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

A professor was giving a big test to his students. After everyone finished, they turned in their papers. But when he gathered them up, he noticed something odd — one student had paper-clipped a crisp $100 bill to his test with a note that said, "A dollar per point."

The next class rolled around, and the professor handed the tests back. When that student got his paper, he found a score of 36 marked on it with $64 in change attached! You have to admire the student's creativity, but it’s a great reminder of an important truth: you can’t buy your way to a better grade... and you can’t buy your way to God’s grace either.

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that if we just do more — pray more, serve more, give more, “be better” — then maybe, just maybe, God will love us a little more. It's easy to view God’s grace as something we have to earn. But grace doesn’t work like that.

God’s grace isn’t for sale. It isn’t a reward for good behavior. It's a gift. And the thing about a gift is that it doesn’t depend on what you’ve done — it depends entirely on the heart of the giver.

God doesn't look at your résumé of good deeds to decide whether or not you’re worthy. He already decided you were worth loving when he sent Jesus to the cross. And he’s not standing over you like a professor with a red pen, grading your every move -- he’s a Father with arms open wide, ready to welcome you in.

So, whenever you’re down because you feel like you’re not measuring up, remember that you are not loved because you’ve got it all together, but because God is loving. You don’t have to bribe him. You don’t have to impress him. You just have to trust him. Allow his love to calm you and remind you that you are his — no price tag attached.

- alan smith

Father, thank you for loving me even when I feel unlovable. Thank you that I don’t have to buy your blessing or earn your approval. Help me to stop stressing and start resting in your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.