There are a lot of things we earn during our lifetime. We earn grades in school (good or bad). We earn awards or a spot on a team. We earn the trust of our friends. Later on we go to work and earn a living. We get paid for doing our job. We put in the effort and then we are rewarded with a paycheck.
But there’s one important thing that you can’t earn. M.C. Hammer had a song years ago called “Can’t Touch This.” We’ll, I’m here to tell you that you can’t touch this. You can’t earn your way to Heaven. You can’t earn this! You can’t do all that you can do and then have Jesus do the rest. It doesn’t work that way. If you think that you are earning your own salvation, you are fooling yourself and you do not have the proper understanding of God’s grace. You also can’t just be a good person or do more good than bad.
Here’s the amazing thing about it: we can’t do anything. We are saved by the grace of God and his grace alone. God draws us to Himself. He gives us the measure of faith that we have (Romans 12:3). God Himself, by His grace grants us salvation. It’s not about us. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Look at that verse closely. It is not of yourself. You have nothing to brag about. Salvation is obtained by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation is the free gift from God. You can’t earn this! The pay for our work is death; physical death at the end of this life and eternal damnation if we die in our sins. But look at the wonderful promise God has given us in Romans 6:23 – eternal life through Jesus Christ if we put our faith in Him.
Romans 3:22-24 tell us, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” We have all fallen short of God’s glory, His perfect nature. There is nothing we can do on our own to earn God’s favor. His grace is freely given to those who put their trust in Jesus.
Are you ready to submit your life to Jesus? Are you ready to admit that you can’t earn God’s grace? If so, please turn from your sins – repent. Repentance starts in your heart. You recognize your sinful nature before our Holy God. You change your mind before you change your direction. Turn from your sins and put your trust in Christ Jesus. Please stop thinking that your eternal salvation has to do with your “good” works. Put your faith in Jesus and in Him alone and receive the wonderful free gift of salvation today.