STOP TRYING TO EARN GOD’S BLESSINGS
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Monday 25th November 2024
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast”. Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
A lot of Church folks are trying to earn the blessings of God. But the truth is that you cannot earn it. It is a gift by grace. Apostle Paul says: “But by the grace of God I am what I am…….” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV). You cannot earn the blessing of God. Christ had to come and earn it for you so you can receive what has been provided. Salvation is the greatest gift that God gave to us. It is not earned but received. Learn to receive.
Do you know the problem of the elder brother of the prodigal son? He felt he could earn the blessing of the father. The thing was there, but he said I can’t take it until I earn it. The blessing was in the house, but he said. ‘I am not yet qualified to take it.’ I must earn it. On the other hand, the prodigal son said my father is wealthy. He must have considered that even the ones his father gave him, he didn’t earn it, so if it was given to him freely before, the same way, He would do it again. When he came to himself and went back, he was restored. The truth is that God is always providing.
As they began to celebrate the return of the prodigal son, his elder brother came back, and upon seeing what was going on, he became angry. He has been working all these years, wanting to earn the blessing. He said to the father, I have been labouring with you since my brother abandoned you and spat on your face. The father said that is the issue. Your problem is that you have been trying to earn what I have already provided for you instead of receiving it. His father did not offend him. All he had was his, but he refused to take it because he wanted to earn it.
Further Reading: Luke 15:25-32; Ephesians 2:1-10
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 24-26; Evening- 1 Peter 2