Given Not Earned

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a Holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” - 2 Timothy 1:8-9 
 
If you are a child of God, you are highly favored. That is right, He pours out His blessings upon you. He sets you up with a life greater than you could ever create for yourself. When you mess up, He is there with endless mercy and grace, neither of which you deserve.

Why does He do this? Because He loves you and because it’s who He is. But make no mistake about it, the favor of God is nothing you can earn. It’s all Him. In 2 Timothy 1:8-9, The apostle Paul tells us, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a Holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
 
During his title runs playing for the Miami Heat, Lebron James had a slogan with Nike that said, “Earned not given.” This was implying exactly what the quote says – that everything LeBron had was earned. He worked for it. It wasn’t just given to him; he had to make it happen.

Well, the exact opposite is true with God. Because you can’t earn it. It’s not about you and what you do. It’s about HIM. The favor, the love, the blessings, the purpose, the mercy, the grace, it’s ALL HIM.
 
God pours out all these things upon you because He loves you. It’s given not earned!