Resting in Grace, Not Earning God’s Favor
Resting in Grace, Not Earning God’s Favor
Salvation is not a reward for good behavior or religious effort; it is a gift, freely given by God through Christ. Many struggle with anxiety about whether they are “good enough” for God, but the truth is that our confidence is not in our ability to hold onto Him, but in His unshakable grip on us. Grace means that we can rest, knowing that our standing with God is secure because of what Jesus has done.
This truth frees us from striving and fear. Instead of living to earn God’s approval, we live in response to His love. Our good works are not a way to gain acceptance, but a joyful expression of gratitude for the grace we have received. When we truly grasp this, it changes the way we relate to God and to others.
Titus 3:4-7 (KJV): “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Reflection:
Where do you find yourself striving to earn God’s approval? How can you practice resting in His finished work today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Salvation is not a reward for good behavior or religious effort; it is a gift, freely given by God through Christ. Many struggle with anxiety about whether they are “good enough” for God, but the truth is that our confidence is not in our ability to hold onto Him, but in His unshakable grip on us. Grace means that we can rest, knowing that our standing with God is secure because of what Jesus has done.
This truth frees us from striving and fear. Instead of living to earn God’s approval, we live in response to His love. Our good works are not a way to gain acceptance, but a joyful expression of gratitude for the grace we have received. When we truly grasp this, it changes the way we relate to God and to others.
Titus 3:4-7 (KJV): “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Reflection:
Where do you find yourself striving to earn God’s approval? How can you practice resting in His finished work today?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below:
https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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Archive
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
May
Identity and Joy in ChristThe Communal Joy of the GospelLoneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine HealingGrace and Peace Flow from Repentance and ForgivenessGospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All DifferencesChrist Redeems Our Painful MemoriesJoy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s GoodnessFaith Is Forged in the Fires of CrisisObedience Precedes the MiracleGod’s Ways Transcend Human LogicSelfless Faith Becomes a Channel for BlessingSurrendered Resources Become Miraculous ProvisionJoy Grows Through Gospel-Driven PartnershipFaithfulness in the Ordinary Matters Deeply to GodGod’s Transforming Work in You Is Unfinished but CertainReal Fellowship Means Sharing Both Grace and StruggleJoy Flourishes When We Lean on God in WeaknessFreedom’s Cost Echoes in Every Liberty We HoldRemembrance Guards the Heart of Our ValuesGod’s People Are Called to RememberLove That Crosses Every BoundaryThe Cross—Our Everlasting Memorial of Grace
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