By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  June 24, 2020

As we take a deep look at what it means to be a believer, we must realize how God’s grace is not just the starting place; it is where we start and remain as believers. God’s grace is more than just a gesture of goodwill to a soul mired in sin.

God’s grace is necessary for us to experience the life-changing power we so desperately desire. The biggest mistake we can make is acting as though we have the ability to earn anything in God’s Kingdom. The currency in God’s Kingdom is grace—something we can never earn, and something we can never exhaust.

Oftentimes, in our desperation to have the heavenly Father smile upon us, we adhere to a strict list of dos and don’ts. Although legalism may prove our loyalty, it never changes our hearts. We can dot every i and cross every t, but if we do not allow God’s grace to flow through our lives, then we have done nothing but put on a show for the world.

Earning God’s love and approval is impossible. You can preach the greatest sermons. You can serve as a missionary in the jungle. You can pray until you run out of breath. But if you refuse to find your salvation in God’s grace, depending instead on your works, you will miss out on the greatest gift He bestows upon His children.

God’s grace is free. It is unmerited favor from heaven, poured out on His children. No one deserves it, but we should all desire to walk boldly in it.

Prayer: Lord, help me to cease striving to earn Your favor. Help me to learn to walk in Your grace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6).