We Don’t Deserve Anything Good

In my personal opinion, there is nothing more annoying than someone saying I deserve this. Or believing that they are entitled to certain things in life. Simply because we can see through the lens of scripture that no one deserves anything good. The truth is we are all only worthy of the penalty of hell for a life lived in sin. The reason we have, or even, get to experience anything good isn’t because we deserve it. No the only reason we get to experience good things is because of the great grace and mercy of God. Something that is true for both the just and the unjust. 

Matthew 5:44–45 (ESV)

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

It may sound harsh to some to be told that you only deserve punishment and nothing good but that is the exact message of scripture. As Paul put it all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He also wrote that the wages of sin is death. Because of our inherited sinful nature every person deserves is nothing but punishment for their sins. But out of an abundance of grace God made it so we would not have to face such punishment. God made it so we would not have to receive what we deserved and instead offered us what we never deserved. Salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life of peace in Heaven with Him. None of which was earned or worked for but simply a free gift from a compassionate God. 

Romans 3:22–24 (ESV)

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

What’s most amazing about all this is that the only person to ever live a perfect life and not be taken captive by sin took our punishment. Jesus received the punishment we all deserve and He did so by choice. He was insulted, abused, and killed in our place. Fully taking on the punishment that we should have received for the sins we have committed. This sacrifice opened a world of blessing for all those who place their faith in Christ. Giving every Christian so much more than they deserve. A great way to look at this is Jesus took the punishment we deserve so He could share with us the reward His life deserves. 

Isaiah 53:5–8 (ESV)

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions; 

he was crushed for our iniquities; 

  upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, 

and with his wounds we are healed. 

 6  All we like sheep have gone astray; 

we have turned—every one—to his own way; 

  and the Lord has laid on him 

the iniquity of us all. 

 7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, 

yet he opened not his mouth; 

  like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, 

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, 

so he opened not his mouth. 

 8  By oppression and judgment he was taken away; 

and as for his generation, who considered 

  that he was cut off out of the land of the living, 

stricken for the transgression of my people? 

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 9:12 (ESV)

12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Even though the modern cultural mindset of entitlement is unbiblical and honestly annoys me, I sadly can’t say I am impervious to it. I do my best to never say or even really think “I deserve this…”. Because I do not want to end up with that wicked and false mindset. Believing that for various reasons I deserve things that in reality, I don’t. I want to be sure that I never forget that what I deserve is actually sadness, hurt, struggle, and punishment because of the sinful life I have lived. I never want to take for granted the great gift God has given me. The countless blessings I, nor anyone else deserves. Yet, regardless of how hard I try still my thoughts often betray me and cause me to feel entitled. 

For instance, my wife and I have chosen possibly the worst time ever to attempt to buy our first home. Prices have exploded and the market is thin. At the time of writing this, we have been in the market actively trying to buy for almost a year. The journey has been riddled with getting beat out by insane offers, failed inspections, and more ups and downs than a roller coaster. It has felt almost as though God has been blocking us from taking this step in our life. Ultimately keeping us from moving forward in life. While it seems others are meeting little to no resistance and are buying houses in the same market in no time. 

Through this process, I have tried to remind myself that I do not in fact deserve a house. Knowing that a house will not provide any lasting happiness or provide a great benefit to my life. I have even continued to hold to the belief that through all this God must have a reason or a plan. But still, the thoughts of envy and jealousy find their way into my mind. Even though I am still happy for those who have succeeded in the process. 

This causes me to question why I can’t have what everyone else has. Which is nothing more than the mindset of entitlement. Believing that I should have a house because like these other people who have been able to buy I work hard, am a good person, and serve God with my whole heart. All these feelings may seem warranted by the world but they are actually shown to be sinful in Scripture. I have allowed a false mindset to infiltrate my mind and in turn cause me to sin through my thoughts and feelings. Without me even being able to realize it for some time. 

James 3:14–15 (ESV)

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and  things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Thinking and praying about my situation has only led me back to the revelation I have already had time and time again. Strengthening my belief that I don’t deserve anything good but am so blessed to have all that God has already blessed me with undeservedly. Even the things that I often take for granted are undeserved blessings. Daily provision, the ability to work as well as a job to work, a safe place to lay my head, a great family, and so so much more. As the Bible says every good and perfect gift comes from God. Something I know to be true as I can attribute all I have to the merciful hand of God. Richly blessing someone who truly didn’t and really still doesn’t deserve it. 

James 1:17 (ESV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Take away all I have though, and still, I am blessed beyond what I should be. Because salvation alone is more than what anyone deserves yet God still chooses to pour out so much more upon every believer. I thank God for the blessed assurance in my salvation. When I was at my worst God changed my path. I was headed toward destruction but even though I didn’t deserve it God showed me a better way. One headed toward life and not death. Toward eternal peace with Him in Heaven. 

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV)

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 

Though my life was once full of all manner of wickedness and sin God freed me from it all. He made me a new creation and the old life is gone. Now I am blessed to walk in the fruit of the spirit. Able to live out every day forward in peace, joy, love, hope, freedom, forgiveness, and happiness. All of which I never deserved but am so glad to have received. 

1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV)

15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I have known all this, and even thought, I lived well by it. But through close inspection of myself, I can clearly see that even though I never claimed to deserve anything I still thought and felt as though I did. Entitlement found its way into my life and clouded my judgment. Instead of being thankful for all of my undeserved blessings, I questioned why I couldn’t obtain just this one thing. Ultimately finding myself upset that I couldn’t have what everyone else had and that I felt I deserved. But I know I accept the fact that in time we will find our first home and the prices of the puzzle will align. 

Maybe we will find our home soon and we will leave the rental process in the rearview. Or maybe we won’t and God will keep us on hold for a time longer. Either way, I will strive to recall this tough lesson and remain content. Knowing that am already blessed with so much I truly do not deserve it. Thanking God for all He has given me in his undeserved kindness.

I can say with certainty that God is better to me than I ever have or will deserve. So I will do my best to walk accordingly. Not focusing on what everyone else has or what I think I need. Instead of choosing to focus on how blessed I already am to have been forgiven and transformed. Blessed to even have the opportunity to walk with the creator of everything. The greatest treasure I have that I am not worthy to deserve.

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