Practically every unsaved person around the world believes that they have to do something in order to make their god pleased with them. Regardless of what religious persuasion a person is coming from, every religion in the world essentially falls into that bucket.
The bucket is called: Human Effort
But even if someone comes from the persuasion of Christianity, that doesn’t mean it is really any different. Here’s what I mean by that.
Unsaved people who label themselves “Christian” still mistakenly assume they have to do something in order to earn God’s blessing. But what’s even worse than that is when “genuinely” saved Christians fall into that same pattern of trying to maintain God’s love and acceptance by being better, committing more good deeds than bad ones, being more patient, etc.
What a terrible blunder for God’s children to commit!
God’s grace was shed upon us—inspite of us—and our good deeds NEVER maintain or increase His love for us. His mercy endures forever and His tender loving-kindness is all-sufficient. Always sufficient.
Certainly, God expects us to live a righteous and holy life…without question…but what I am trying to articulate is that God loves you because He loves you. Period. Don’t try to earn more favor with God and don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking that if you could just do a little more of “this and that” or a little less of “that and this” then God would love you more.
That is the face of pride, not humility.
Here’s an awesome verse about how too often we get caught up with looking at the externals and fail to realize that God is more concerned with what is on the inside (i.e. the heart attitude, our motivations, our thoughts, etc.). And what I find interesting is that God was having to remind one of His own prophets this divine truth, and Samuel the prophet was arguable one of the greatest human beings to walk the face of the earth at that time.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Maybe we should stop focusing so much on external appearances and start focusing on the inner-person, instead. I believe many churchgoers today need to be reminded of this. At least I know that I do.
Below is a picture I drew last night. It reminds me of how often we are too focused on the externals and we forfeit or joy and happiness as the sad result.
I’d love to hear what you think about it so, if you’ve got a moment or two, leave a comment below. God bless!
I think sometimes we are more concern for mundane matters than spiritual ones, I know that being or staying healthy it’s good thing because we can serve God better, nonetheless, but again, God only looks inside of our hearts no outside. I use to have this kind of problem with my tattoos. Great stuff brother, is so encouraging, God bless you brother!!!
I agree, Marco. I know a number of Christians who feel almost “second-class” because of tattoos, weight problems, finances, etc. What a shame. Even though the church is supposed to be a place of love and acceptance, it is still challenging for many people to leave that stigma of peer pressure at the the threshold of the church door, and not bring it in with them. I pray that we can all do a better job going forward. Thanks for your comment, dear brother!
In first Samuel 19:23 it says that teh spirt of God came upon Saul and he went along prophesying? I thought that king and prophet were two different roles. How is it that a king was able to prophesy?
Why did anyone prophesy in the Bible? Because God enabled them to. There is a difference between the “office” of King and being able to “prophesy.” I suppose it isn’t much different than King David being the King but also being inspired by God to pen Scripture.