READ: ROMANS 5:6-11; EPHESIANS 2:1-10; 1 JOHN 4:19

The Emperor sent a proclamation to the kingdom of Mercutia. He announced that he would be granting the Ultimate Gift to a select few people of the kingdom.

Adelaide, a young seamstress, read this proclamation and was overjoyed. The Gift from the Emperor… that could change everything! However, Adelaide knew she would have to distinguish herself in order to be worthy of the Gift.

I will become the wealthiest in the land, Adelaide thought. Then I’ll be worthy. So she worked diligently, toiling day and night on the dresses of duchesses. She mended and sewed until her fingers bled and her eyes ached. After one year, she gathered all her wealth and journeyed to the Emperor to ask for the Gift. But when she arrived, she saw nobles dripping with jewels and knew she would never be the wealthiest of all. Surely, she was not worthy.

I will become the strongest in the land, Adelaide thought. Then I’ll be worthy. So she joined the Emperor’s army and trained as a knight. After one year, Adelaide had gained glory and strength, and she journeyed to the Emperor to receive the Gift. But when she arrived, she saw the strongest generals, and she knew she would never be the strongest in the land.

If I cannot be the wealthiest or the strongest, then I will be the smartest, Adelaide thought. Then, I will finally be worthy. So she became a student of the most respected scholars. She studied great tomes, memorized epic poems, and learned deep philosophy. After one year, she journeyed to the Emperor one last time to see if she could finally receive the Gift. But when she arrived, she listened to the Emperor speak. His immense wisdom was so beyond hers that she knew she would never be worthy of the Gift. Dejected, Adelaide returned home.

“My work will never be enough,” she whispered to herself, weeping quietly.

But when she saw what was waiting for her inside, her heart filled with joy. Given freely by the Emperor was the Gift, ready to be opened. • Emily McDonough

• Have you ever felt like you had to do certain things to be worthy? The truth is, we could never do enough to earn God’s favor or His love. But God loved us first, before we could even do anything good, and only Jesus’s sinless sacrifice on the cross was enough to provide forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. Find out more about this good news on our "Know Jesus" page.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)