Not a “To-Do" list.

When I was growing up, I learned to have a healthy respect for my dad. He was the disciplinarian of our family. There were times that he took it too far, though, and I was afraid of him.

There are many times when we can feel the same way about God. We believe that God will be rough with us. Perhaps His Grace will run out. After all, He knows where we’ve messed up. Thankfully, this is not the Heart of God for us. He doesn't want us to obey out of fear. He doesn't want us to "wait for the other shoe to drop."

On the other hand, some of us may be looking at the “To-Do” list of obedience in a positive way. We’re not afraid of punishment, necessarily; we’re afraid to trust in His Goodness. Instead of trusting in Him, we try to earn His Favor. If we can just be better, do more, achieve faster, God will be pleased and we’ll fill the hole in our hearts.

Friends, I have good news and (perhaps) bracing news: We can not earn God’s Love, nor do our efforts to earn this Love actually fulfill our Purpose.

Yesterday, we talked about sin. All of us have done it, and all of us will continue to do it. We incurred the debt, but we cannot accomplish the buyout, even though it sometimes feels better to try and earn it. Those of us who have followed Jesus a long time can fall prey to this way of thinking.

Without realizing it, we often think we can earn our way onto God's "Good List." That's the wrong way of looking at it, though. Rather, we should view obedience as a response to God's Goodness.

“I just need to earn God’s Grace.” Grace is God’s Empowerment and Unmerited Favor. He has good will toward us. He loves us. He loves us so much that He rebuilt the bridge we tore down with our sin. He did what we could not do and sent Jesus.

Now, I’m going to tell you something great: Getting to God is free. Righteousness is a Gift that comes from God when we believe. Obedience is our response to His Goodness, not our earning of it.

Some of you may be asking, Why are we harping on this so strongly? It’s because when we talk about obedience, we can forget that obedience is only possible because of the Work Jesus did for us on the Cross. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you can do it today. We accept Salvation as a Free Gift. By Grace, through faith, and not by works. No one can earn it and brag about it.

Today, reaffirm one of these beliefs in your heart:

Jesus,

Today, I make you my Lord. I ask you to be my Savior. I’m not enough - I have sinned. I ask for You to make me new. Wash me in Your Goodness, Lord. Help me to follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Or,

Jesus,

Help me to rightly view obedience. I don't want to try and earn Your Favor. I want to respond to Your Love. Help me to think of Your Goodness and Grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.