Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation, and what did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds — i.e. the works of his own hands — had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about, but that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous — not because of anything he had done — but because of his faith."
When people work for someone, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned, however people are counted as righteous, not because of the work they do for God, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. King David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it. He wrote:
"Happy is the person whose
disobedience is forgiven
and whose sins are covered over.
Happy is the person
whose record the Lord
has wiped clean of sin."
(Psalm 32:1-2)
Reflect
We all want to be right with God right? Yet it is so hard not to get into the mindset that there is something we need to do to earn God’s favour. It is humbling to remember that God does not need us! Sure, God loves us, wants to get to know us, and God wants the best for us, but God does not need us. God is, after all, God!
There is a phrase that I have repeated many times and one you have no doubt heard — “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less! God loves you because God loves you because God loves you!”
Paul’s theology, especially in his letter to the Church in Rome, is often called ‘righteousness by faith’. It is our faith (our trust, loyalty, and faithfulness) in Jesus Christ that makes us clean, right, and holy before God. This is why, after healing or exorcising someone, Jesus often said, “Go, your faith has made you whole (well or clean).”
How freeing it is to have faith in Christ! Think about it. Right now, wherever you are sitting (or standing or lying) there is nothing you have to do to please God. You are completely and eternally forgiven, cleansed, and holy. There are no religious hoops through which you have to jump, no special words you have to say, and no regrets for things you have not done. You are free.
Pray
Holy God
Thank you that
I stand before you
loved, forgiven, and holy.
Thank that there is
nothing I have to do
to earn your love
and that your grace and mercy
is all I need.
Now and forever.
There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less! God loves you because God loves you because God loves you!” .
Until i was lucky enough to have a door open to let me in , i believed for over 30 years , that there was no way i could do anything or enough to have God allow me in or to love me. Its only through YOUR ministry Gav and Helen , i have come to realize that i was so wrong. And despite how i live , act , think God accepts me as i am. And that i am worthy. ( as i tear up typing it ). I AM WORTHY !!!!
I will never get enough of the reminder that
“There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less! God loves you because God loves you because God loves you!” !!! Thank you for that!
As I was reading this devotion, running through my mind was a debate between whether that knowledge freed us from choosing to do the “good, honourable, right”, vs (the sometimes very easy to do) “bad, dishonourable, wrong” things in our interactions with others for our own selfish benefit and gratification … the former uplifts and reflects God; the latter shows our fallen selves, and potentially hurts others….
I pondered past conversations shared with me on the idea that as we allow God more into our lives, the Fruits of the Spirit transforms us. I LOVE that idea!
Finally, I settled on accepting that even if God does not require me to do works in order to be saved, I’d much prefer to act in a kind, loving, respectful way (that does not hurt others)- and actually serve them …. Thus act in a manner that when others see me, they may ask who is this God you serve because I would love to get to know her!
I am saddened by how many years I lost when I could have been serving God, because I thought that I was too far from what God wanted me to be. But I am enormously grateful that I have found a new path that isn’t full of fire, brimstone, judgment and condemnation.
Instead… full of love, acceptance, and the beautiful, unconditional welcome of God.. (through Fab.church) Thank you 🙏🏾
I think I should add… my personality happens to be a happy, loving one… but I can act like an ass when crossed… etc! I know I am far from perfect… that knowledge used to give me grief… I’m accepting that it’s ok! All because I had the pleasure of meeting two of God’s amazing messengers- H and G! From whom I learned- NONE of us are perfect! Only God is!! Amen!!!🙏🏾
and then
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There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less! God loves you because God loves you because God loves you!” .
Until i was lucky enough to have a door open to let me in , i believed for over 30 years , that there was no way i could do anything or enough to have God allow me in or to love me. Its only through YOUR ministry Gav and Helen , i have come to realize that i was so wrong. And despite how i live , act , think God accepts me as i am. And that i am worthy. ( as i tear up typing it ). I AM WORTHY !!!!
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I will never get enough of the reminder that
“There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less! God loves you because God loves you because God loves you!” !!! Thank you for that!
As I was reading this devotion, running through my mind was a debate between whether that knowledge freed us from choosing to do the “good, honourable, right”, vs (the sometimes very easy to do) “bad, dishonourable, wrong” things in our interactions with others for our own selfish benefit and gratification … the former uplifts and reflects God; the latter shows our fallen selves, and potentially hurts others….
I pondered past conversations shared with me on the idea that as we allow God more into our lives, the Fruits of the Spirit transforms us. I LOVE that idea!
Finally, I settled on accepting that even if God does not require me to do works in order to be saved, I’d much prefer to act in a kind, loving, respectful way (that does not hurt others)- and actually serve them …. Thus act in a manner that when others see me, they may ask who is this God you serve because I would love to get to know her!
I am saddened by how many years I lost when I could have been serving God, because I thought that I was too far from what God wanted me to be. But I am enormously grateful that I have found a new path that isn’t full of fire, brimstone, judgment and condemnation.
Instead… full of love, acceptance, and the beautiful, unconditional welcome of God.. (through Fab.church) Thank you 🙏🏾
I think I should add… my personality happens to be a happy, loving one… but I can act like an ass when crossed… etc! I know I am far from perfect… that knowledge used to give me grief… I’m accepting that it’s ok! All because I had the pleasure of meeting two of God’s amazing messengers- H and G! From whom I learned- NONE of us are perfect! Only God is!! Amen!!!🙏🏾