Why Is the Gift So Hard to Accept?

There’s a strange thing that happens when people talk about God. Even though we say He’s loving and merciful, many of us live like we’re constantly trying to earn His approval. We may say salvation is a gift, but deep down, we wonder: “Have I done enough?”

That question—"Have I done enough?"—has been haunting religious people for thousands of years. But the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, was never about what we do. It’s about what He did. So why is it so hard to accept?

From the time we’re young, we’re taught to work for what we get. Study hard, and you’ll earn good grades. Perform well, and you’ll be rewarded. That makes sense in school or on the job—but we often carry that same mentality into our faith. We think, “If I follow all the right rules, keep myself clean, and live up to God’s standards, maybe I’ll be accepted.”

The problem is that this mindset contradicts the gospel at its core.

Jesus didn’t come to hand out a new rulebook. He came to offer rest to people worn out by religion.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

He was speaking to people burdened by legalism. People taught that righteousness meant keeping every command perfectly. People crushed under the weight of religious pressure.

Jesus didn’t say, “Try harder.” He said, “Come to Me.”

One day, a group of people asked Jesus a very important question: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (John 6:28)

That would have been a perfect opportunity for Jesus to list the right rules: holy days, rituals, behaviors. But He didn’t.

He replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (John 6:29)

Not, “Keep this rule.” Not, “Join the right group.” Just: Believe in Me. That was—and still is—the foundation of salvation.

Why, then, do so many of us still treat salvation like a reward for good behavior? Why do we load ourselves down with conditions God never placed on us?

Paul, writing to early believers, echoed this struggle. He reminded them, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

And again, in Galatians: “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3)

Paul isn’t downplaying obedience—but he is warning us: don’t confuse obedience with earning. Obedience is a fruit of faith, not a price tag for grace.

Some communities build entire systems around performance—whether it's dress codes, food laws, worship days, or prophetic loyalty. These may seem “holy,” but if they become the basis of salvation, something’s gone wrong.

The Bible does call us to holiness. But holiness is a response to grace, not a requirement for it.

If I think I have to meet a checklist before God accepts me, I’ve missed the heart of the gospel.

“Those whom the Son sets free are free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Sometimes, receiving grace is the hardest part of faith. It means letting go of pride. It means admitting we can’t measure up. It means saying, “Jesus, I trust You to be enough for me.”

And that's the real scandal of the gospel: we don’t earn it. We receive it.

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Jesus didn’t say, “It’s almost finished. Just keep the right rules and you’ll be okay.” He declared it was done.

So why do so many of us live like we need to finish what Christ already completed?

If you’ve been carrying the weight of trying to be “good enough,” maybe it’s time to set that down. Jesus didn’t die to improve your checklist. He died to make you new.

The gift is still offered freely.
The rest is still available.
The grace is still sufficient.

You don’t have to earn what He already gave.
Just receive it.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)