July 10

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. — 1 Cor 2:12 BSB

The highest blessings of the Gospel are just as free as the lowest. And after serving God for many years, we can’t rely on our experience and say, “I’ve got it now, I’ve learned enough, I’m secure.” We often do that—we say, “I know I’m saved, I feel it.” But when we do that, we’re building on something within ourselves rather than on the grace of God. Grace is always something we don’t deserve, something that is freely given. The deep, boundless river of God’s grace is free at every point—from the stream’s beginning to the mouth of the river, and all along its course. Anyone can come and drink, anyone can come and bathe in its vast waters. Are you going to believe it?

God has given us His Holy Spirit so that we may understand the things freely given to us by God. Imagine a poor child looking through a window at a warm, happy family around a dinner table while he’s starving outside. What good is it for the child to know that there is warmth, love, and food inside if he isn’t invited in? But God has thrown open the door. He has freely given us all the goodness of His grace and love.