according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1, 4 to 5).

Grace means receiving God's salvation completely apart from any merit or act on our part.

God has done everything in Jesus' name for us.

Salvation is a gift,

not a reward.

Salvation is God's work,

a finished work;

we can neither add to it nor take away from it.

We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2, 5 and verses 8 to 9),

AND we live and serve by grace (Ephesians 3, 2 and verses 7 to 8).

God's grace doesn't stop at salvation,

but continues to work in our everyday lives.

God's blessings in our lives are not rewards for our obedience,

good works or active participation in church life.

God blesses us by pure grace.

Obedience to God and good works have an important place in our lives.

BUT if I act while thinking in my heart only of what I can "win" with God,

I'm on the wrong track.

The motivation God is looking for is to please Him.

Make a list of everything God has given you by pure grace,

without you deserving it.

Thank God for everything on the list.

Make a second list of everything you'd like to have or do.

Give the list to God.

Tell him you don't deserve any of these things,

but you're counting on his grace!

Read 1 Corinthians 15, 8 to 10 and 2 Corinthians 12, 8 to 10 and discover how the apostle Paul experienced God's grace in his life.

We're influenced by our world,

which tells us "You deserve this because you did that",

"You're good because you're qualified"...

BUT God tells us "Everything you have I gave you.

You didn't do anything to deserve it.

I didn't give you this job because you're qualified,

but because I love you."

Think about whether you're really living fully on God's grace.

Are you obeying God to please him or to gain something from him?

Share this meaning of God's grace with brothers and sisters who are discouraged because they failed an exam or missed out on something they longed for.