We don't deserve God's blessings

[Lamb]

A friend of mine has some friends who were insulted when she brought up the fact that we don't deserve God's blessings. She and I are both confused as to why that would bother them?

 

[Albion]

Many of us have witnessed that sort of thing. It seems to come from poorly instructed Christians who can't get comfortable with the idea that God did something wonderful for us that we, as sinners, didn't earn and couldn't do on our own.

They know that God gave us instructions in moral behavior, so they take from this that if a person is basically decent and doesn't engage in carjacking or murder, etc., God quite rightly should reward him with a happy tomorrow for being "good." After all, there are so many others who are "bad" people, that it's only fair of God to do so.

 

[MoreCoffee]

A friend of mine has some friends who were insulted when she brought up the fact that we don't deserve God's blessings. She and I are both confused as to why that would bother them?

If mercy were deserved, it would not be mercy; similarly, if grace were deserved, it would not be grace. Certain Bible translations employ the term "undeserved kindness" or an equivalent phrase to convey the concept of grace, serving as a useful reminder that grace is not earned. In my view, blessings fall into the same category as grace and mercy.

 

[The Jason]

The Bible says God will bless those doing his will, so they deserve it and those in rebellion deserve a curse. Of course, this is talking about believers (Christians, OT Jews). I don't know to what degree it would be non-believers.

 

[VybrantMoonC]

I can see why your friend's comment might have surprised her friends. The idea that we don't deserve God's blessings touches on sensitive themes of grace and human worth. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we earn, highlighting the importance of grace in our faith. This perspective emphasizes that our worth comes from God's love and mercy, which can be a freeing realization.

However, some may find the notion uncomfortable because it challenges the cultural emphasis on individual achievement and self-worth. By stating that we don’t deserve blessings, it can feel like a denial of their value or efforts, even if that's not the intention. Ultimately, it’s about celebrating God's unmerited favor in our lives rather than diminishing anyone's worth.

 

[BruceLeiter]

A friend of mine has some friends who were insulted when she brought up the fact that we don't deserve God's blessings. She and I are both confused as to why that would bother them?

Human nature has a desire to take credit, at least partly, for what it does. Instead of self-esteem, we need God-esteem.