Daily Devotional
Our Salvation is Not Dependent on Us

April 19, 2023

Ponder This

When I played high school football, there was a game when it was pouring rain, and there was water standing on the field. During the game, just by happenstance, a pass was intercepted by our defensive tackle. Now, he was not the pass-intercepting type. We blocked every opposing team member to get him down the field, and he scored on that play. I roomed with him that night, and all night long he talked about those brilliant moves and how he went down the field. I’d hate to be in Heaven with people talking about how they got themselves to Heaven. The Bible says it’s “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). We’re going to Heaven by the grace of God, and all glory, praise, and honor goes to Him. What is the grace of God? It is the sovereign love of the Father, and it is the supernatural work of the Spirit.

He also regenerates us—we’re sanctified through Him. You may have been an adulterer. You may have been sexually perverted. You may have been a thief or an extortioner. But when you get saved, you are washed whiter than snow in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

• When have you bragged or been tempted to brag about your good works?
• When have you felt like you couldn’t measure up to the standard of God’s law?

Practice This

Consider which side you tend toward: bragging about your own good works or feeling ashamed because you can’t measure up to the law. Ask God to correct your thinking.