Who Deserves the Credit

”…What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” I Corinthians 4:7

Most everything we have came from someone other than ourselves - that primary ‘someone’ being God. Just think, your life was not even your idea, but your parents. Your spirit, soul and body are not of your doing. What you have accomplished after your birth is little of your making. So, how much credit do we deserve, or should we take? What we do deserve is to pay for our sins. The notion that we deserve anything good in life stems from a spirit of entitlement. This flows out of our pride. The truth is, none of us are deserving. The Lord is the source of all of the good in our life. The same was true for Jacob, because:

HE DIDN’T DESERVE IT…

”Are you really my son Esau?’ he asked. ‘I am,’ he replied.” Genesis 27:24

The fact Jacob lied to Isaac is enough of a reason that he shouldn’t have received any blessing. Esau didn’t deserve the blessing because he sold his birthright for some stew, but Jacob did not deserve it either because he was a cheat. Who of us deserves anything from God? This is the point of blessings, especially our salvation - ‘It is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.’ (Ephesians 2:8). How would heaven differ from earth if everyone there had deserved it or had earned it? It wouldn’t, pride would still reign in us - something God wants to avoid. He is the only reason.

…IT WASN’T HIS DECISION.

”By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.” Hebrews 11:20

Blessings originate with the giver. We may want, ask, even plead for one, but it is only received if the giver chooses to give it. By faith, Isaac blessed his sons, despite Esau’s disregard and Jacob’s deception. And the blessing Isaac gave did not originate with him, but with his father, Abraham, who received it from God. This is the nature of a blessing, it’s neither owed nor earned. Because it’s given, it is by grace - a gift. Blessings freely received are easier to freely give. We don’t clutch them so tightly. God has chosen to bless us with salvation and nothing, even sin, can stop Him from doing so. It’s not our decision, but His.