Many people imagine that they have... - 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.

Many people imagine that they have some kind of account with debit and credit sides with God. The debts and credits of individuals are constantly entered: on the one side what is evil - the wrongs and sins of omission, on the other side what is good - duties carried out faithfully and our good works. God will then assess the balance.

Such people hope that they will not be in the red and will therefore be accepted by God. This idea has no basis in the Word of God! As God's creature man is under the obligation to serve God in his entire life. He is expected to do good. So good is not a bonus that can offset bad deeds or wickedness.

Moreover, all the good that man can do will not satisfy God or fit us for heaven. The best we can do is unfortunately not totally free of stain or sin. This we can quickly test by asking ourselves whether our good deeds were really done out of love for God and our neighbour, or whether other motives also came into question (cf. Luke 10:27).

The Bible's conclusion is: "We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).

Jesus Christ came to help and save us. He "suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

Salvation is thus only through grace and by faith.

Today's reading: Joshua 21:27-22:10 · 1 Corinthians 15:12-19