Who owes who?

 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. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

Yesterday, I was reminded of something very powerful.  God can never and will never be indebted to me.  Hearing these words took me back to a point in my life where I turned away from God because I unknowingly had this mindset.  

I looked at my life and saw personal relationships crumbling and blamed God.  I thought that since I was doing things "the right way" that it somehow would exempt me from hardships.  I thought God owed me when the reality is that I owed Him everything.  I still do.

Christ died on the Cross for me while I was yet a sinner.  He loved me before I loved Him.  He loves me even when I go the wrong way.  He loves me enough to correct me and bring me back to Himself restoring the relationship that we have.

The "work" I do and the holy life I tried to lead is my reasonable service to God.  It is my duty that I do in response to His great love for me.  It is not done for recognition or praise.  I can't earn my salvation.  I can't earn my freedom.  That is a gift given freely by God because of His grace and mercy.  The blessings I receive are a bonus and I am grateful.

Lord, thank You for Your word and Your truth.  Help me to have the right heart posture and mindset towards You and the work I do in Your Kingdom.  Keep me humble and bowed before You.  May You alone receive the glory. In Jesus name.  Amen.