Many people today, even many believers, have a confused notion that God will bless them based on their own good actions. I say “confused” because God is not at all obligated to forgive us our sins and share with us His love, gifts, and eternal life based on our own goodness.
Why is this? Because if it were a matter of good works, then we would all be sunk from the very beginning!
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:22–23)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
God’s goodness and salvation are not reserved for a small, elite group of pious people who manage to stay true to His law more than everyone else.
Instead, God says to you and me, “Your efforts do not obligate me to give you reconciliation and salvation. But out of grace, I will give you what you don’t deserve, and you can receive it simply by believing in Jesus.”
As believers, you and I must never let this truth out of our sight! It is all too easy to let the “works” mentality creep in as we progress in faith. But my prayer for you is that you will continue to trust in God’s grace alone, through Christ, as much today and tomorrow as you did the day you were saved.