We easily understand the law of the harvest – getting paid according to the work we’ve done. What’s more difficult to accept, and put into practice, is freely receiving grace from God and others. All too often we feel like we must earn the favor offered to us. And this can leave us either trying to bargain for a blessing, or disrespecting the gifts given to us because we feel undeserving.
For instance, like a kid waiting for Christmas, we might promise to be good so we get presents and not coal. We’re playing the game to get a desired outcome without any true transformation taking place. And we feel entitled to our gifts when we believe we’ve upheld our side of the bargain. Or perhaps we live in fear of losing our blessing because we’ve not been quite perfect enough. Either way, we’re not able to fully receive grace for what it is.
On the other hand, we might struggle to accept the gifts offered to us – either believing we’ve not done enough to earn it yet, or that our past sins should disqualify us. We might reluctantly accept the gift only if we can repay the other in kind. Or allow shame to get the best of us and continually attempt to “return” the gift because we believe the other has made a mistake. Again we’re not able to freely enjoy the favor given to us.
Grace is unmerited favor. By definition, this is not something we earn. Of course, this doesn’t mean we can live any way we want without consequences. The law of the harvest remains true, and will rob ourselves of much goodness when we fail to pursue God’s holiness in our daily lives. At the same time, we must allow God to be God – lavishing his unfailing love on us because of who he is, and not because of what we’ve done.
In the end, do what’s right, while also remembering who God is. Learn to receive his unmerited favor without the pride or fear that this is something you must earn.
Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash
