A Gift is not a Reward, It’s a Gift

Step out of your old ways and walk into the freedom God’s calling you to. His grace leads us into a land free from the choking weeds of regret and overflowing with His love

It would be silly to try to pay someone back for a gift they gave you out of the goodness of their heart, wouldn’t it? And yet, we often fall into that trap. God gives good gifts to His children, but some of us waste time and energy trying to “repay” Him—forgetting that His gifts are freely given.

Romans 4:7-8 says:
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

In Romans 4, Paul addresses a serious issue within the church—people were trying to prove their righteousness through their actions. He reminds them of Abraham, who hadn’t even been circumcised when God declared him righteous. Abraham simply believed God, took Him at His word, and followed Him into the unknown. It wasn’t his adherence to the law that earned him God’s blessing—it was his faith. This was a shocking truth for the Jews of Paul’s time, who had lost sight of God’s grace.

This reminds me of a Christmas gift I recently received—a beautiful, hand-painted ornament, commissioned specifically for me. Imagine if I had written to the giver and asked, “How much do I owe you?” Or worse, if I had refused the gift, saying, “I can’t accept this until I prove I’m worthy.” My friend would have been confused, maybe even hurt. The gift was given out of love—no strings attached.

The same is true with God’s forgiveness. If you’re trying to prove to Him that you’re worthy of it, you’ll never succeed.

Forgiveness isn’t a reward for good behavior—it’s a gift.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
“For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did.”

We are made worthy of God’s forgiveness not by striving, but by surrendering—bringing our sins to the cross, acknowledging them, and repenting. Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry; it’s a change of heart, a turning away from sin.

So believe God. Take Him at His word. Step out of your old ways and walk into the freedom He’s calling you to. His grace leads us into a land free from the choking weeds of regret and overflowing with His love and strength.

©2025 Katherine Walden

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