:: this post is a part of the 3.31 IMPACT series ::

If you would like to be encouraged further in living a live a life of impact, grab a copy of Impact My Life: Biblical Mentoring Simplified.

Focus

Acts 2:38 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:23 ESV
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:14 ESV
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Decision

Do you feel you need to be good enough for God to love you? Have you come from a religious background where the evidence of your worthiness is rooted in your good works? Do you struggle with feelings of imperfection and self-loathing when you make a mistake or sin?

You’re not alone. The idea that we must be good enough to earn God’s favor is common place. We live in a performance-based culture, where our worth is defined by our accomplishments. We have put onto God the mind of man, assuming that our Heavenly Father operates like our earthly ones. Oh, how that is not true!

If we confess to God that we believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins (everything wrong we’ve ever done or ever will do), then we get to spend eternity in heaven.

[Tweet “We don’t have to work at being good enough for God. “]

We only have to believe in Jesus as our Savior, rescuing us from a life of sin and making a way for us to experience the favor of God here on this earth and the gift of eternity when we die.  It is out of an expression of our love and gratitude to the Lord for this amazing gift of salvation, that we then may choose to live in such a way that pleases God — seeking opportunities to do good things from the overflow of Christ in us and as a demonstration of our love.

Surrender

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for trying to earn your love. Show me how I can live for you without the burden of performing for you. Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins, lifting the burden to perform in a culture that tries to convince me otherwise. Reshape my thinking, O God, and reshape my life so that out of a heart of worship I find my worth in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection

What is one thing you know you’re doing each day in an effort to receive God’s approval instead of as a expression of your love for Him? What would it take to give up the effort and put on authentic love instead?

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