The Backdrop
Quick question: Where do you get your spiritual worth? What is it that makes you feel spiritual? The easy answer is to bring to mind things we do: Bible time, prayer time, helping others. These things are good, but they aren’t where we receive our worth. In fact, there isn’t anything we can do that actually gives us spiritual worth.

Here’s why.

In Old Testament days, righteousness (which means “right relationship with God”) was determined by what God’s people did, such as sacrifices, offerings and feast celebrations. Jesus’ death and resurrection made Him the ultimate once-and-for-all sacrifice and gave us a position with God that we never would be able to attain by doing something.

Don’t take my word for it; take God’s.

The What
You can imagine that the thought of no sacrifices, no offerings and no feast celebrations was pretty radical to new believers during those first decades after Jesus was on this earth. In fact, much of the New Testament consists of letters from the apostle Paul written to new believers explaining this change in the game. Because you and I still tend to measure our spirituality by the things we do, we should keep ourselves reminded of the truth in these passages.

Print the verses below and do the following:
1. Draw a stick figure over words that refer to believers (look for words such as you and us).
2. Draw a cloud over every mention of God.
3. Draw a gift box (a simple box with a bow) over the word grace when you see it.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:5-6).

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:8-10).

The So What
Ephesians 2:9-10 can sound confusing. First it says we’re not saved by works; then it says we’re created to do good works. So which is it? The answer is: No one gets saved or adds to his or her spiritual worth by doing good works (as some were trying to do in New Testament times). Once we’re saved, gratitude to God should motivate us to do the good things He’s prepared for us to do. Keep asking God to show you the difference and keep thanking Him for His free gift of grace.

It’s usually about now in these devos when we suggest how you can apply the Scripture you’ve just experienced, but sometimes this comes across as a to-do list that might help you be more spiritual. So, we’re going to change things a bit. The only thing we’re suggesting you do is to bask in the grace God has freely given you—the truth in the passages you just explored. Take a few minutes to picture the position—the worth—God has given you without you having to do anything to achieve it. Meditate on it. Tap into gratitude for it.

If that gratefulness and those thoughts cause you to want to do something, then by all means do it. As Ephesians 2:9-10 tells us, you were created for that.