Be like God, give favor to others for free.

Romans 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. This verse teaches us a lot about salvation. Salvation is given as a favor, not as a payment for good works. If we love others so God will accept us into His heaven, or love others so we won’t go to hell, we are operating in another kingdom than God’s kingdom. Because God deserves the glory for all things which He does, everyone who enters into His kingdom, does so on the basis of God’s favor. Their presence before God cannot have anything to do with their works. One stands before God only by the good grace of God, His good favor. He is love. God’s love is the sustained direction of His will toward our highest good, no matter what the cost or no matter what we have done, either good or bad. That’s the kind of love that flows in the hearts and lives of those who live to love with Jesus. We enable others to stand before us out of favor—grace. We don’t take into account wrongs suffered nor do we receive them because they do what we want, like we want, and when we want. We accept them based on the same grace of God which we have received—as a favor. Today, let us be like our Father in heaven, who enjoys granting favor to sinners who don’t deserve it. I hope you’ll visit livetolovewithjesus.com and be encouraged by the free live to love resources that are made available to you as a favor from God. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com