For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
God’s gift to the world: Love. Grace is unmerited favor, worthiness you have not earned. It is not a barter of equal give and take. It is your get out of hell free card and all you have to do is reach out in faith and take it. Grace is the manifestation of God’s kindness, His choice to love always, anyways, every man, every where.
Carnal man seizes credit for anything he can, then turns it to his advantage over another. This is the complete antithesis of God’s abounding love. God alone is able to save, not man’s talents or endeavors and God does so because He choses to.
It is a great temptation to exhaust ourselves attempting to be worthy of man’s standards. Hint: Man will never be satisfied with you, but God was the moment He wove you together in your mother’s womb. Seek to honor His love. It is by His grace alone that you are saved.
Love,
Gretchen