You can’t earn anything from God. We all know that. The message of his kingdom is that everything comes by grace and is received by faith. But in emphasizing how incapable we are of earning his benefits, we often neglect to discover how we can position ourselves for them. And we find ourselves lacking things we really want or need.
Look at it like this: Can you earn a birthday present? No, of course not. You didn’t choose when to be born, or even to be born at all. But can you miss out on good birthday presents? Sure—if you don’t even show up to the party. With some things in life, you have to be present, willing, and receptive in order to get what you can’t earn.
No one earns God’s guidance, but asking him for it and then watching for direction will allow us to receive it (Luke 11:9-10). No one earns answers to prayer, but praying in faith will position us to receive them. No one deserves the opportunities he gives, but humble hearts and sensitive spirits will lead us to plenty of doors of opportunity. Numerous kingdom blessings come only to those who ask for them, look for them, believe them, are grateful for them, and understand how they are given.
In believing the gospel of grace, it’s good to deny the power of your works. But it’s also good to embrace the power of your receptivity and then to position yourself under the fountain of God’s goodness. Good things come not only to those who wait but to those who also seek God out, believe his words, and receive what he promises.
