Getting What We Don’t Deserve
By Chelsea Kay Hurst
Have you ever taken a second to look back at the story of Jesus and really think about what that meant for our lives? Like really… I mean really… thought about the impact of what Jesus did on the cross so many centuries ago? That action on the cross meant so many things for us: forgiveness, grace, eternity, mercy, love, and so much more. In just one action, we got what we could never deserve: God’s endless grace for the things we’ve done and the sins we still have yet to commit. Growing up in church, I heard the story of Jesus over and over again.
Although I never forgot how amazing that story is, I started to forget to really process and meditate on that sacrifice God made. It’s not “just another story.” It’s a true story of God’s grace, love, and mercy. Three things that we receive but could never deserve! I encourage you to sit down and re-read the story of Jesus’s life again, or read it for the first time if you haven’t. It’s good to remind yourself of what Jesus lost in order for us to gain eternal life and endless grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “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.”
This verse always brings me back down to earth. Nothing that we do will change God’s opinion of us. Like I mentioned above, his grace is endless. No matter how many times we sin or turn away from God, he loves us just the same.Have you ever experienced grace like that? I try to wrap my head around it, but it’s hard to fathom how wide God’s love truly is.I always put it into perspective from the situations I’ve experienced in my own life. When I find it hard to forgive someone, I think of how easily God forgives me. I can’t hold a grudge or decide not to extend forgiveness when our heavenly Father gives us his grace constantly.
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God’s perfect gift is free.
We did nothing to earn or deserve it, but he willingly and graciously gives us the gift of eternal life and so much more. This verse gives me a sense of peace and freedom because his grace is always constant, never fading and never changing. I encourage you to remind yourself frequently of the story of Jesus and what that means for you and your life. Maybe sit down today and read it through. It’s a story of endless love, redeeming grace, and selfless sacrifice. Jesus is the same today as he is tomorrow, and the tomorrows after that. Remind yourself of the gift we don’t deserve, yet get to receive every single day!
Chelsea Kay Hurst is a writer, youtuber, speaker, author of "Your Own Beautiful Book", and Christian on mission to serve and love.