It seems as though many people view Christianity the same way. Each day, God rates them based on their performance and how well they did. If they messed up a lot, God marks them down, and if they do well, God rewards them with a superior rating.
But the reality is that no one can do a enough to salvation from God. The apostle Paul writes, "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:22-23 NIV)
No matter how well we perform, we will fall short. Our performance will never be documented so we can present it on the day of judgment as our ticket to eternity. Paul continues his thoughts... "and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24 NIV)
We are saved by grace. Wild, outrageous grace. Grace that forgives things that you and I would find almost impossible to forgive.
Imagine that you met an ISIS terrorist who had killed some of your close friends and relatives. This man had brutally murdered people who you loved and cared for deeply. If you knew they had decided to give their life to Jesus, would you be able to forgive them for their unimaginable acts of terror?
Now picture the man who penned the words above. The apostle Paul had made it his goal to persecute as many followers of Jesus as possible. In the book of Acts, we read that Paul approved the killing of Stephen. But this murdered of Christians suddenly found himself forgiven, embraced by the God who could even forgive the worst of sins.
But are you and I really that different than Paul? I doubt that many of us have murdered someone, but how many of us have killed someone's spirit through our words and actions or caused serious damage to someone's life by what we have said or done?
If we start to compare our sins, we fall right back into the same performance trap. Except this time, we are measuring who is more unworthy for God's love and mercy. But again, it's not about who does the least amount wrong. We have all done enough wrong to be disqualified from receiving the prize of eternal life.
But God's grace takes away the need to perform. Our efforts are not what determines our citizenship in God's kingdom. Through grace, we are set free to pursue with reckless abandon the mission that God has placed before us. Our performance isn't about what we can do to earn anything; rather, it's an opportunity to share the blessings we have received.
As I watched my son perform, I was nervous for him. I wanted him to do well and receive a high rating. But the reality is that once he sang or played that last note, I loved him the same regardless of the rating he received. His performance made me proud, but it didn't change the fact that he is my son who I love dearly.
I often find myself still wanting to impress God with my performance. I struggle with the desire to earn my salvation and remind God that I am good enough. But then I mess up again and remember this journey is not about my being good enough. No. This journey is about a God who is good enough. A God whose goodness is so incredible that he was willing to humble himself, take the form of a human, and live among us, so that we might finally understand how amazing his grace truly is.
shine!
Jason
No comments:
Post a Comment