Don't beat yourself up trying to earn it. The price is higher than you can pay, but there is a solution.

"No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him—For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever—That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay." (Psalm 49.7-9)

Immortality cannot be bought; for oneself, or another person. As the Psalmist says, "the redemption of his soul is costly." So, we are advised to "cease trying"; none can successfully live on eternally and avoid the decay of death and the grave. Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? But, "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6.23) You can never earn it, but you can have it as a gift through the sacrifice of Christ.

It's a bit like a quiz I remember taking in high school. We were told to read the directions carefully. The first requirement was to skip to the end of the page, sign our name, and turn it in. Those who didn't read the directions needlessly labored over the tough problems to be solved. Such as it is with grace: the cost of "the redemption of the soul" is impossibly high. Many literally wear themselves out trying to earn it. But, Christ redeemed us from an impossible burden so that we might be liberated to serve and live for Him. What a privilege!

May we gratefully live and serve today in response to the greatest gift ever given.

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