Daily Devotion Tuesday October 12

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.             ~Romans 4:4-5

We are so used to working for what we get. Even when someone gives us something for free, we wonder what their agenda is. Will they expect something in return? Paul explains in these verses that if righteousness was earned, God would be obligated to do something for us, and would relate to us as an employer. But our ‘right-ness’ is a gift. God relates to us like a father, not an employer. Have you ever been tempted to look at God like God doles out paychecks? Have you ever said ‘they’ll get theirs one day?’ When we do this, we make God the cranky old guy sitting behind a calculator keeping score of replaceable people. Our relationship with God is based on God’s faithfulness, not ours.

Prayer: God, forgive me for imagining you as an employer, someone to keep happy so I’ll get what I need. Remind me again of your love for me as family. Amen.

Pastor Vicky