“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
The world values merit.
We work for income. We work for promotions. We work for status.
Our jobs operate under the notion of earning.
According to Oxford Languages, earn is defined as a means to gain deservedly in return for one’s behavior or achievements.
Merit.
I have been contemplating this concept of earning our statuses and income as it relates to work. I feel like I am constantly proving myself to companies to show my value and worth.
Earning is based on what we seemingly deserve.
The problem with this is, as humans, we inevitably fall short. We are imperfect, and merit does not measure the heart, our intent, or our imperfections. Merit is data driven.
Earn is in direct contrast to the term gift.
According to Oxford Languages, a gift is defined as a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.
Clearly, God operates out of a totally different system than our workforce.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “– John 3:16
Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
He did not die for the merited, he died for the sinners. The imperfect ones.
For the longest time, I had based my salvation on merit. I believed my salvation as a Christian followed the same framework of our society. I thought I could earn salvation by works alone.
“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Dear Father, I am thankful we serve a God who values faith over merit. You operate under a completely different system that is driven by faith. Unmerited. For that I am grateful. Amen
Your turn: I encourage you to take a listen to Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. Below are a few lyrics associated with the song:
“Oh, the overwhelming never-ending reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights till I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it and I don’t deserve it, but still you give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming never-ending reckless love of God.” – Cory Asbury