Three contrasts - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8.

Three contrasts
Grace instead of the law: "The law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" (Romans 5:20). The law showed how great man's guilt toward God is. It also made it clear that no-one can keep the commandments so as to obtain eternal life. Because the law cannot help the sinner, God acts in grace. He makes no further demands on mankind, but offers him eternal life in His Son, who once suffered and died on the cross.

Grace instead of works: "If by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is not grace" (Romans 11:6). Grace is the contrast to works. It is impossible for people to earn salvation for themselves by doing good deeds. God will never accept works from a sinner, however sincerely they are meant. God commands him to repent and confess his sins, so that he can be saved by grace.

Grace instead of payment: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23.24). Man cannot obtain redemption by paying for it with silver or gold: it is free of charge. He is pronounced righteous by God only through grace, if he puts his faith in the Lord Jesus, who paid the price of redemption with His blood (cf. 1 Peter 1:18.19).

Today's reading: Joshua 5:1-15 · 1 Corinthians 3:11-23