Not Because You Deserve It

Ezekiel 36:32  But remember, says the Sovereign LORD, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!

When I was a youth pastor in El Cajon, California I had three brothers my youth group. Their parents were awesome people, and the kids were growing up to be fine young men.

The oldest boy was adopted as a baby. The younger two came along the old-fashioned way. I remember hearing the eldest tell his brothers, “Mom and Dad chose me, they got stuck with you.” Brutal!

Truth be told, there wasn’t anything that baby could have done to deserve being adopted. He couldn’t talk or do tricks, he looked like most babies, with a scrunched-up face and bald head. In short, his parents chose him because of their love for this baby.

There isn’t a thing we can do to earn God’s love or forgiveness. We can’t buy it; he doesn’t need our money.  Genesis 50:12 says he owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

He isn’t impressed by our goodness. In Isaiah 64:6 God sees our attempts to be righteous on our own like filthy rags.

He’s not even impressed by our cuteness! God looks at the inside of us, not the outside. Crud, I was really counting on my good looks to get me by…

Nope, as God told Israel in today’s verse, “It’s not because you deserve it. You should be ashamed of what you have done!” So why does God love us? It’s his nature. We all have worth to the One who created us. It doesn’t matter how many Brownie points you think you have; it all comes down to God’s love, grace, and mercy. Based on my lackluster credentials, that’s a good thing! And don’t get cocky, it’s good for you, too!

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 36,37; Psalm 110, Revelation 19

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