And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. But if it is by works, then is it no longer by grace; otherwise work would no longer be work. Romans 11:6 MEV
The Gospel isn’t a to-do list. It’s an announcement: Jesus did it all. That’s Grace. Jesus, God Almighty in the flesh, came to the earth to reveal the Father, and to bring us to an end of ourselves by unveiling the full weight of the Law. This work of Christ leads us to fully receive this Grace.
Grace must be realized—seen in Jesus’ finished work—and then received as a free gift. We, as mere men, often struggle to receive a free gift. We want to contribute, to play a part, to aid, assist, and add to the work.
In the natural realm, merit has its place, and ability is necessary for success. What may sound contrary to what I have just said is that this is also true in the spiritual realm. The difference is that only one has the ability and merit in the spiritual realm. That is God Almighty.
Look at the angels. They are in the spiritual realm and have great abilities, and yet they are imperfect; one-third of them followed lucifer into rebellion. Bringing the spiritual into the natural through the Law also confirmed man's inabilities. They couldn't keep the Law.
Christ shows us that He is the only one who kept the Law perfectly. Jesus then took upon Himself the sins and judgment for all the world. He endured all the punishment of sin and the agony associated with the Cross. He descended into Hell, taking all the judgment, and stripped satan of the keys of death and hell, and triumphed over him and arose victoriously three days later.
Jesus completed the Work. He performed perfectly. His ability is greater than all. He merits all the goodness, blessings, and benefits of God. What about us? This is where the lines get blurred.
We then attempt to attain these blessings and benefits by our own performance and behavior. Our efforts and abilities are incapable of receiving the goodness and gifts of God.
Our abilities, our efforts, and our behavior are, in essence, our resume submitted for the open position of the saved, the Righteous, the set apart. The heavenly HR looks at our resume and sums it up, and it always falls short of the top applicant, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Merit, performance, ability, and behavior? All are vitally important in both the natural and spiritual realms. The Good News is this: Jesus has met the Righteous requirements and has the position. He now has acquired the full benefits and freely offers all to share in them. All we have to do is believe it and receive it.
Let Grace bring you to an end to yourself. Realize your efforts and behavior will never be adequate to warrant or merit the Goodness and favor of God. Only One's merit was worthy. So place your trust in the One alone.
So many will reject this. They will fight back that our behavior is vital and positively or negatively affects our standing with the Father. The issue with this is we are now saying we are Righteous by Faith plus our works or goodness. This is contrary to the Gospel Paul preached.
Behavior matters — for growth, maturity, and walking in love. But our identity and standing with God? That’s built on Christ alone. Identity first. Fruit follows.
So let go of striving.
Stop trying to earn what can only be received.
Lay down your spiritual résumé — and pick up Christ’s.
Grace has already done the work.
The cross was enough.
You are loved, accepted, and blessed — not because you qualified, but because Jesus did.
Just receive it.
That’s the Gospel.
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