Are you earning it?
We’re saved by grace, not works—yet how we live reflects what Jesus has done for us.
Living a Life We Didn’t Earn
“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 (ESV)
This excerpt comes from my son John’s Memorial Day sermon:
“In Saving Private Ryan, Captain Miller and his team gave their lives to save Private Ryan. After being rescued, Ryan says, ‘I don’t deserve this. People are dying because of me and I get to live. I did nothing to earn this.’
Captain Miller’s final words to Ryan were simple but heavy: ‘Earn it.’
Fifty years later, Ryan visits Miller’s grave. With tears in his eyes, he says, ‘I hope I’ve earned what you did for me.’ Turning to his wife, he pleads, ‘Tell me I’ve lived a good life. Tell me I’m a good man… tell me I earned it.’”
This scene beautifully illustrates our relationship with Jesus. We live a life we don’t deserve—saved by grace—because of His sacrifice on the cross. We didn’t earn salvation. We couldn’t. Grace means receiving what we didn’t earn: mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.
So now we ask: Are we living a life worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice? Not by trying to earn salvation, but by honoring it. Not by works, but through faith that transforms how we live.
Are you earning it? Not to gain grace, but because you’ve received it.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for the unearned gift of grace. Help me to live in a way that honors Your sacrifice. Shape my heart to reflect You daily. Amen.
Let Us Worship In Song
Marvelous Grace (Grace Greater Than Our Sin)
▶️ Click here to worship with this song
Learn more about Grace here :