Looking back to God’s covenant with Abraham, Paul shows there is no reason for us to do any boasting. Believing and accepting God’s gift is totally different from working for wages. Faith leads to righteousness, and this is credited to us as a gift. We could not possibly earn it or work for any part of it.

The Canons of Dort explain: “All who genuinely believe and are delivered and saved by Christ’s death from their sins and from destruction receive this favor solely from God’s grace—which God owes to no one—given to them in Christ from eternity.” It’s an eternal, divine plan.

As believers who are delivered and saved by Christ’s death, we are blessed! As a hymn puts it beautifully, “Great is thy faithfulness, O God . . . blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!” God has had our best interests at heart from eternity. Because of Jesus’ self-sacrificing love, we receive the gift of never having our sins count against us! Now, there’s a reason for rejoicing!

Based on the truths of God’s Word, the Canons of Dort help us understand God’s gifts of grace and our reasons for rejoicing. How do you show your gratitude for God’s gifts in Christ? What do you do to share your joy in all this with others?