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Christian Network

All human beings want more than they deserve. This is true for both believers and unbelievers, though believers may be more consciously aware of this reality. One of the many effects of the Fall is our race’s sense of entitlement. The Bible tells us that we, the sons and daughters of Adam, are deserving only of death because of the evil that characterizes us both individually and corporately. But our self-deceiving hearts tell us just the opposite. We often think we are getting a "raw deal" when we suffer from pain or want. Collectively society, especially in the West, tells us the same thing. Just read our advertising. From "You Deserve a Break Today" to "Because You’re Worth It" the message behind the marketing is that we are somehow intrinsically worthy of the best rather than the worst. The idea that we are actually beggars destitute of any rights is, to say the least, not very popular. In fact it is alien to the modern world.

For Christians there is, however, a blessed parallel truth that accompanies the initially disturbing realization that we deserve worse rather than better. There may be no better indicator of the presence of a gracious God in our lives than the existence of blessings that we receive despite of, not because of, who and what we are.

It is a powerful thing for people to come to the knowledge that they are constantly being given more and better than they deserve. At least it is potentially powerful, depending on whether a person really grasps the enormity of this fact. From the clothes on our back to the food on our tables we are the recipients of the unmerited favor of our Creator. Good things come to the just and the unjust, the saved and the lost, the righteous and the wicked. God gives to all.

He does this because it is in His nature to give. He also does it because He loves us, and love treats its object better than that object deserves.

Some will take God’s love for granted. In fact it is probably safe to say that even the most devoted Christian has taken it for granted at one time or another. He is, of course, aware of this. It is no surprise to Him. What is surprising is the patience our Lord exhibits towards us while we continue to fail to be thankful. But that, too, is a function of grace.

There are few higher experiences in life than those that occur when we come to truly accept that we do not deserve the good things we receive, and yet have been given the good things anyway. The presence of true gratitude is an incredibly joyful thing. In fact gratitude is, in and of itself, a great blessing. Ultimately it might even be greater to be thankful for a blessing than it is to have received that blessing in the first place.

Perhaps that is the reason God is so giving, so that we might know the joy of being loved despite ourselves.