Scripture Focus: Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Q&A 63 from the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q. How can our good works be said to merit nothing when God promises to reward them in this life and the next?
A. This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace.
________________________________________
Devotion:
1.Imagine this: You’ve just finished a long day of chores at home. You’ve cleaned your room, helped with the dishes, and even walked the dog. At the end of the day, your parents surprise you with your favorite dessert. You might think, “I earned this!” But what if they told you, “This isn’t because of what you did—it’s because we love you.”
2.That’s a picture of God’s grace. Sometimes, we think of our relationship with God like a job. We do good things, and He pays us back with blessings. But Q&A 63 reminds us that God’s rewards aren’t wages—they’re gifts. Even our best efforts don’t “earn” His love or blessings. Instead, everything we receive from Him is because of His grace.
3.This truth is both humbling and freeing. It’s humbling because it reminds us that we can’t take credit for the good in our lives. It’s freeing because it means we don’t have to strive to earn God’s favor. He loves us and blesses us because of who He is, not because of what we do.
4.So, what’s the point of doing good works if they don’t earn us anything? Good works are our way of saying “thank you” to God. They’re a response to His love, not a way to earn it. When we serve others, obey His commands, and live out our faith, we’re reflecting His grace to the world.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever felt like you needed to “earn” God’s love or blessings? How does this Q&A change your perspective?
2. How can you show your gratitude to God through your actions this week?
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your amazing grace. Help me to remember that Your love and blessings are gifts, not something I can earn. Teach me to live a life of gratitude, reflecting Your grace to those around me. Amen.