What Do You Have That You Did Not Receive?

Scripture Focus

“Do not say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.’” — Deuteronomy 9:4 (ESV)

Devotional Thought

Here in Deuteronomy 9, Moses warns Israel about something that seems almost as common to humanity as death and taxes: pride and self-righteousness. God was about to give Israel victory over nations stronger and greater than they were, but Moses knew how easily they could misunderstand what God had done. Once they were safely settled in the land, they might begin telling themselves, God gave us this because we deserved it. We must be better than those people. Moses immediately cuts off that kind of thinking. Their blessing was not evidence of their superior righteousness. In fact, as the chapter continues, Moses reminds them of their repeated rebellion against God.

We struggle with the same tendency. We may come to Christ recognizing that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves. We understand that salvation is entirely an act of God’s mercy and grace. Then Christ begins changing us. Our desires change, old habits begin disappearing, and our lives start looking different. But somewhere along the way, we can forget where we started. Suddenly, instead of marveling at God’s grace, we begin marveling at ourselves. God’s gracious and merciful choice to save us subtly becomes a story about how God must have noticed some hidden greatness in us. Before long, we’re looking at the people around us and saying, “Well, I would never do that,” as though we somehow cleaned ourselves up.

One commentator described Israel as being “tainted with a conceit of their own righteousness” and ready to attribute the good things they enjoyed to their own goodness. But that certainly wasn’t unique to Israel. We all have a tendency to think too highly of ourselves. Even though we began by acknowledging our sin, trusting Christ, and admitting that we could never earn our place in God’s family, we can slowly begin acting as though we deserve the very grace we once knew was undeserved.

Paul confronted the Corinthians with a question that gets right to the heart of the matter: “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). That’s a good question for every believer. What spiritual accomplishment can I point to that did not ultimately begin with God’s grace? If my heart has changed, He changed it. If I have grown in holiness, His Spirit has been at work in me. If I understand His Word, He has opened my eyes. If I have been forgiven, it is because Christ paid my debt. If there is anything good in me, I have no reason to boast as though I produced it myself.

Remembering that should also change the way we look at others. Instead of seeing someone trapped in sin and thinking, I would never be like that, perhaps we should remember who we would be apart from God’s grace. And if God has been able to transform my heart, He can transform theirs too. The person I am tempted to criticize today may someday become a powerful testimony of God’s grace. Condemning people from a position of self-righteousness does nothing to draw them toward Christ. We can speak truth about sin without pretending that we ourselves are the source of righteousness.

The Gospel leaves no room for either pride or hopelessness. I cannot boast because everything I have received from God is grace. But I also cannot look at another person and conclude that they are beyond hope, because the same grace that saved and changed me is powerful enough to save and change them. Instead of looking down on others, may we point them toward the Savior who showed mercy to us.

Reflection Questions

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I would never do that,” about someone else’s sin or failure?
Are there ways God’s work in your life has gradually become something you take personal credit for?
How would remembering 1 Corinthians 4:7 change the way you view both your accomplishments and the failures of others?
Is there someone you have been criticizing whom you should instead begin praying for and pointing toward Christ?

Closing Prayer

Father, forgive me when I take credit for what Your grace has accomplished in my life. Everything good in me is ultimately a gift from You. Keep me from looking down on others or imagining that I am somehow more deserving of Your mercy than they are. Remind me of who I would be apart from Christ, and help that remembrance produce humility, gratitude, and compassion in me. Instead of criticizing those who are far from You, help me pray for them, love them, speak truth with grace, and point them toward the Savior who has been so merciful to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.