9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

— 1 John 4:9-10

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

— Ephesians 5:2

4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.

5 However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

— Romans 4:4-5

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

— Romans 10:9-10

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…

— Acts 16:10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

— Ephesians 2:8-9

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

— Romans 11:6

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy to you from Jesus Christ.

While giving our lives to God, giving our hearts to Jesus, and making a commitment to Christ express a precious devotional love for Jesus Christ, they are not required to receive salvation. The gospel is not about giving our lives, our hearts or anything else to God in exchange for eternal life. In fact, salvation is just opposite. The direction of salvation is from God to man, not from man to God. If being saved from the penalty of our sin is received through some type of bargain or exchange we make with God, it is no longer a free gift. It is by grace, not on the basis of works; otherwise grace is not longer grace.

The good news of the gospel is that Christ gave Himself for our sins, dying for us as our substitute on Calvary. We don’t give ourselves to God. He gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma, out of His immense and eternal love. God does not accept anything whatsoever for us in exchange for salvation, no matter how sincere we may be. We make no contribution or payment in exchange for salvation. From beginning to end, salvation is a totally free gift, given to us by God’s grace alone when we believe.