The Idea of Earning God’s Love and Forgiveness Affects So Many Things
Including how you see God.
This concept is often related to the idea of perfectionism and/or living up to a list of expectations created by man. (Neither of which are obtainable).
This leads to depression, hopelessness, overwhelm, etc.
Naturally, this is going to affect how you see God. How could it not?
God is going to seem like this mean, harsh, unrealistic taskmaster who withholds His love until you reach some crazy, insane goal.
As you explore God’s character - including His deep, deep love for you - you need to be freed from such lies.
Otherwise, your perception of God is going to remain dark…and you’re not going to want to open up to Him.
When it Comes to Salvation, the Only Biblical Offering (or Solution) is Grace-based Salvation.
It is NOT a work-based salvation - or relationship.
We don’t earn eternity with God. (Nor do we earn His love, forgiveness, etc.)
Why? Because we’re incapable of doing so.
Humans Are Not Capable of Being Perfect, Sinless, or Otherwise Worthy
That’s why God sent Jesus.
That’s why, because of God’s loving character, He made it a gift instead of a breakable burden.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) says: “For 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.”
The MSG version (which is versus 8-10): Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
These verses also refer to another important point…
It’s About God’s Glory - Not Ours
Again, the MSG version says: “We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves.”
Maybe this wouldn’t be you per se. But, if you’ve been exposed to an environment that focuses on works as a way of earning God’s salvation, love, favor, etc. … there’s likely a few individuals that come to mind that have boasted about their works. Even if it’s been done subtly.
Things such as:
How long they pray
How many works they’ve done
The complexity and breath of those works
There’s an existence of pride. (And not a good type of pride.)
I once heard a pastor say that the only two possible results when focusing on works are pride or despair.
Pride if you see yourself as succeeding.
Or despair, since you can’t ever seem to consistently meet the expectations or requirements.
Neither one of these options are healthy.
Nor are they outcomes that God wants us to have. One, because it’s not a great place for us to be. But two, because even though God is love, He’s also God. We’re not. So the glory needs to be His - not ours.
God Giving Us a Works-based Salvation Would be Cruel
If God truly required a works based solution, which is unobtainable, it would not be loving. And God is love as 1 John 4:8 says.
Consider also Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
God wants to lighten our load, ladies!
Which is why God doesn’t ask us to do something that can’t be done. Instead, He’s done it for us.
And all we have to do is express our faith by accepting the gift of Jesus and what He’s done on the cross.
So Where Does That Leave Works?
Works are important. But they are to be a natural response to a loving relationship. Not a means to earning salvation or as a requirement to earning God’s love.
Think about it. When we’re in a safe, healthy, loving relationship, our natural response is to respond. When someone loves you dearly, you love them back.
So works aren’t bad. In fact, the lack of works is bad because it can be a sign of unbelief, a lack of faith, or some other area that needs to be addressed in one’s relationship with God.
They just need to be seen as a response to our loving Heavenly Father - not something you need to do in order to earn His forgiveness or love.
Which should feel like a massive weight off your back, right? Feel free to dwell in that over the next couple of days, friend!
