Golden Nugget:  You don’t have to perform for God. What a relief!

Daily Message:

Although we know a balanced diet and exercise help us stay healthy, we choose to forgo those things at times. The same is true about our spiritual lives. Even though you know the keys to help you follow Christ, they may not always be your focus. 

What happens when you lose focus as a Christian and some of your old self-destructive attitudes and behaviors show up again? Can you lose your salvation? Do you cease to be a member of God’s family? Does God take it all back and stop loving you?

Paul elaborates on the gift of salvation and the motivating power behind it in Romans: “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”

Did you notice that your spiritual restoration is not based on your performance? It is a gift God has given because of his grace toward you in Christ. You can’t pay for your own gift—that’s what makes it a gift.

If a God’s gift isn’t based on our performance, there’s no way we can lose it due to a bad one.

Consider This:

• What has been your worst day as a new Christ-follower so far?
• What did you learn from that day?
• How does God’s gift of grace give you hope?

Take Action:

Bad days will come, and you can’t hide them from everyone. Your friends, family, and coworkers will be watching and learning. List those people who see you most. Pray that God would help them see the real you and that this would help them accept God’s great gift for themselves.