Are you focused on your works, or God’s grace?
On the page “Reading the Bible”, I talked about growing up in an environment that preached a works-based salvation … it was all about performance … reaching standards of excellence to look good in God’s eyes and the sight of people. This is just what Jesus confronted the Pharisees, chief priests, elders and religious leaders of His day about … hypocrisy and traditions of men.
Besides true Christianity, the religions of the world try to gain access to and approval of their god by doing good work, performing a certain way. But, God is very clear, as the prophet Isaiah says in chapter 64, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags …” Only Jesus was pure and righteous … only He could take away our sins, as the sin bearer, and give us salvation and eternal life.
The following verse comes from the Old Testament book written by the prophet Zechariah during the time of building the second temple. “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” Zechariah 4:6-7
God’s Grace
This is what we need … shouts of “Grace, Grace!” Look back at the page “The Five Solas”, and see Sola Gratia, by grace alone. We don’t work for our salvation … it is all by grace … because we fall, we sin, we cross-dress, dream of being a woman, have SRS surgery, and on and on. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God has atoned for all our sin.
Good works have their place after we are saved, after we have a new heart and the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. We do “good things” or “good works”, not to be saved, but because we love God and we love the hurting people around us. Rest in what Jesus has done for you … stop trying to gain God’s approval.
“But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ” James 4:6 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” ” 2 Cor. 12:9
If you need to, shout, “Grace, Grace!” to yourself. Everything is okay.