He Does Not Treat Us As Our Sins Deserve (Psalm 103:10)
By Lynette Kittle
Today's Bible Verse: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” - Psalm 103:10
Whether it’s talking about a relationship, work, or home situation, I’ve been hearing individuals saying, “I deserve better.”
It’s not surprising because our culture is all about focusing on ourselves and on what we believe we deserve.
But what comes to mind in hearing their words is my gratefulness to God for not receiving what I deserve. Ephesians 2:3 reminds us how by a sinful nature, we are deserving of God’s wrath.
Yet it’s difficult for many to understand because they don’t see themselves as undeserving, not recognizing their sin and need to be forgiven. Rather they believe that on their own merit, they are well deserving of all life has to offer.
1 John 2:16 explains why, “For everything in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Clouded by worldly mindsets, many believe its lies and buy into its prideful claims of being well deserving of goodness on their own, not recognizing their need for a Savior to pay the penalty for their sin.
Asking to receive what we deserve reveals a misled heart deceived by worldly thinking.
Salvation Comes to the Undeserving
Yet Salvation comes to the undeserving because God offers it as a gift to us based on who He is and not on what we deserve. As Romans 6:23 clarifies: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Because sin hinders us from ever being able to earn forgiveness on our own, God made it possible for us to receive a gift we don’t deserve.
Although some may believe seeing ourselves as undeserving of God’s gift diminishes our value and worth but instead it opens our eyes to see how much God loves us in our weaknesses.
An Offer Too Good to Be True
Because society teaches people that nothing in life is free, it’s every man for himself, and God only helps those who help themselves, they reject an offer that seems too good to be true.
But the truth is God freely gives, does not leave us alone, and helps those who cannot help themselves.
As well, worldly thinking doesn’t understand how evildoers are able to receive God’s gift just as freely as every do-gooder on earth. It doesn’t seem fair to them.
Likewise, it doesn’t make sense to them why God would offer forgiveness and eternal life to the undeserving? Yet Romans 2:4 reminds us how it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.
Only the Undeserving Receive
The truth is, we as sinful men and women are completely undeserving of God’s kindness, His grace, and forgiveness. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Thankfully God doesn’t offer us Salvation based on what we’ve done or haven’t done. He offers it based on His love and goodness to every undeserving person who will receive it.
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has an M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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