“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.” (Gal. 2:21)

Confession time. For years as a Christian, I believed that, since I had worked hard in school and in my career, I deserved my good grades, my position at the college, and the financial situation Scott and I enjoyed. I felt God owed me success for my efforts. When Scott would ponder, why us? why has God blessed us so?, I replied, for way too long, we worked hard for all this. Subtext: we deserve it. 

It took me a long time to realize (thanks to a double-edged-sword sermon) that I could have worked diligently, but without the privilege of being born in a country packed with freedoms, without parents who had financial resources and lived in good school districts, without access to excellent universities, I would never have been able to achieve career or financial success. It took me way too long to realize that everything I have accomplished had been because of God's great gifts. I had completely “set aside the grace of God” (v.21), failing to credit Him for what I considered my accomplishments. 

I’m reminded of that gospel tract you may have seen years ago, asking whether you or Jesus is on the throne of your life. I was a Christian, but I was appropriating credit for what God had accomplished in me by graciously blessing me with so many opportunities. I was on the throne, assuming I was orchestrating my own life. I certainly was taking credit for it. I didn’t ignore God; I routinely thanked Him, but usually after I felt I had accomplished this or that success. I am thoroughly ashamed of my way of thinking, of the many times I said to myself and to my husband: we worked hard for this; we deserve it. 

Paul explains the surrendered life, the crucified-to-self life where Jesus is on the throne: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (v.20). Had that central gospel truth been real to me, I would never have had the audacity to believe God owed me anything. I would have been using my God-given gifts to be the best student, the best teacher, the best _____, but with an attitude of surrender, asking God what He would have me do instead of asking Him to approve of what I was doing. Had a student complimented my class, I would have quickly credited God for His enabling. When Scott asked why us?, I would quickly have pondered that very question with him, absolutely in awe of how God has blessed us. 

It took me way too long to realize we deserved none of it.

Father God, help us never to set aside Your grace, to think You owe us anything. You loved us and gave Your Son Jesus for us; it is we who owe You everything.