Buying Approval
I was struck by the simple truth in today's "Acts of Gratitude" article in the March addition of Our Daily Bread. The author, Randy Kilgore, noted that he had a mentor when he was a boy that led him to Jesus Christ. This same mentor gently redirected Randy when he noted that the author was trying, "to 'buy' approval by working harder than expected and doing more than people asked. 'These are good traits to give as gifts to others, ' he would tell me, 'but you should never use them to buy acceptance and love from people--or from God.'"
His mentor had him read from Matthew 11:30 and Micah 6:6-8 and then said, "Now read this and ask yourself if there are any gifts you can give God that He doesn't already have." The author wrote in reply, "The answer, of course, is no." Then his mentor went on to explain "that God cannot be bought--the gift of grace is free." Randy ended by writing, "that grace is free and that faithful living is our grateful response...Good works are not the means of salvation but the result."
His mentor had him read from Matthew 11:30 and Micah 6:6-8 and then said, "Now read this and ask yourself if there are any gifts you can give God that He doesn't already have." The author wrote in reply, "The answer, of course, is no." Then his mentor went on to explain "that God cannot be bought--the gift of grace is free." Randy ended by writing, "that grace is free and that faithful living is our grateful response...Good works are not the means of salvation but the result."
God's gifts to us are better than any gifts we could get or give.
Micah 6:8 What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
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