Good EnoughParaugs

No one can enter heaven by doing anything (2 Timothy 1:9). Thank goodness, because I wouldn't know how to make up for my many bad deeds in this life.

Thanks to Jesus' suffering on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, all sins have been forgiven. They no longer count for judgment! We are covered with His love and washed with His blood.

What Jesus has done is free.
It costs nothing. That's why it's called grace. It is unmerited favor by which you are saved (Titus 3:5) and you can accept it at any time.

So, there is no pre-testing.
Nor 100,000 hours of work.

If you repent, it will simply be granted.

However, it can be difficult to accept it. We are used to the idea that first, you must work to earn something. One good deed deserves another, right?

There was a time when it was hard for me to imagine that I didn't have to do anything to stay redeemed. Five days a week, I cooked for the church as a volunteer. I followed all the rules the church imposed on me, even though sometimes it made me feel like I was back in jail.

Fortunately, that's not how it works with God. His promise is firm. Our salvation is consummated. It cannot be earned by things we do.

We can, however, do beautiful works to honor God. Such works are the fruit of faith. But in doing so, we must remember that we do not do the works to secure our place in heaven. For that is already secured through Jesus (John 14:6).

How do you break away from the idea that you have to earn God's grace, that it's not about works but faith?

Blessings,
Johan