Grace? What's That?: Devotions from Time of Graceনমুনা

His mercy, not my virtue

People like to be in control of their relationships. They also like to control the relationship with God. They don’t want to feel any sense of obligation; they don’t want to feel powerless or needy; they hate to beg; and they want to accumulate heavenly capital so they can relax and actually count on God to perform for them when needed.

People think they can gain that sense of security by observing religious rituals, making appropriate financial donations, and striving to obey the rules. And while all those things are good, they are useless in solving the first and greatest problem--and that is that our sinful hearts make us unfit for heaven. All our good deeds can’t erase even one of our bad deeds.

St. Paul thought he was a model citizen. It came as a massive shock that the good relationship with God that he craved came from God’s mercy, not his own virtue. “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy” (1 Timothy 1:12,13).

Where does peace with God come from? Don’t look at your works. Look at Christ’s. Your heavenly capital was earned through his suffering, death, and resurrection. Let him give it to you.