Freely Receiving, Freely Giving: The Gift of Grace
His gift of grace is so extravagant
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?…What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?” (Romans 8:32 and 1 Corinthians 4:7)
God’s grace is breathtaking. It’s through this grace that He rescues and transforms lives. At the heart of His plan is the sacrifice of His Son: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” If God didn’t hold back His greatest gift, how could He not also graciously give us everything we need? “How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
The nature of grace is this: God gives freely, and we are to humbly receive. Every blessing, every spiritual benefit, flows from this divine pattern of giving and receiving. It’s a humbling truth, but also deeply encouraging. Let’s explore this together, as we reflect on David Hoekstra’s Day by Day by Grace entry for today.
A Life of Receiving
Have you ever paused to consider that everything you have—your salvation, your spiritual growth, your ability to serve—has been received from God? Scripture reminds us plainly: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). The answer, of course, is nothing.
Even the joy of Christ living within us comes by receiving Him: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). And the peace of being reconciled to God is also something we’ve received: “We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:11).
From our salvation to our spiritual gifts and ministry, every good thing in our lives is a gift. Nothing originates with us; it all flows from His abundant grace. As Peter writes: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another” (1 Peter 4:10). Whether we’re sharing the gospel, serving in practical ways, or simply encouraging someone in need, we are giving only what we’ve first received from Him.
The Subtle Temptation to Glory in Ourselves
And yet, even as we receive these gifts freely, there’s a subtle temptation to take credit for them. The enemy whispers to our flesh, urging us to claim ownership of what God has done. It’s an old trick, but a powerful one: drawing our gaze away from the Giver and toward ourselves.
But here’s the truth: to glory in what we’ve received as if it originated with us is to misunderstand grace itself. Paul challenges us with this piercing question: “Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
When we recognize that all we have is from Him, there’s no room for pride. Instead, we’re freed to simply give thanks and let His work shine through us.
Freely Receiving and Letting Go
Walking by grace means learning to let go of the need for recognition. It means letting the gifts flow through us without clinging to them or seeking credit. Jesus summed it up perfectly: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
When we live in this truth, our hearts are liberated. We don’t have to strive for approval or acknowledgment. We can rest in the joy of knowing that God is glorified, and that is enough.
The Enemy’s Role in Enticing the Flesh
Of course, the enemy is never far when it comes to twisting the truth. He knows how to stir up old patterns of pride and self-reliance, even in the most spiritual of moments. He entices the flesh to demand recognition, to claim credit, to forget the Source.
But here is where the Spirit comes in, gently convicting and redirecting us. When those old temptations arise, we can rejoice in the Spirit’s faithfulness to reveal them, allowing us to fix our gaze back on Christ. The battle is not ours to fight alone. It’s His, and He equips us for it.
An Encouragement for Today
Have you ever felt the pull to seek recognition for what God has done through you? It’s a temptation we all face, especially as we grow in faith and ministry. But the beauty of grace is this: we don’t have to fight these battles in our own strength. We can surrender them to the Lord, trusting Him to keep our hearts aligned with His.
Take a moment today to reflect on the gifts God has poured into your life. How might the enemy be tempting you to turn the focus inward? And how is the Spirit inviting you to let go and glorify our Lord instead?
Remember: every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). Let’s live as vessels of His grace, freely receiving and freely giving, for His glory alone.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the gifts of grace You so freely pour into our lives. Thank You for the joy of being Your vessels and for the privilege of witnessing Your work through us. We trust you to guard our hearts against the enemy’s enticements and teach us to walk humbly, freely receiving and freely giving. May all glory and honor be Yours, now and forever. Amen.