Why do we do nice things for Jesus thinking we can trade them in for grace?
Grace isn’t something we can trade good conduct in for or collect as a prize for good works.
8 For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! 9 So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. (Eph 2:8-9)
Why do we overstate the good we do to seek validation from other sources than G-d?
Making big deals out of small acts of kindness reinforces insecurity so we mistakenly try to quantify how much we love G-d by offering Him success, accomplishments, status, titles, etc. He doesn’t need or want any of this. He simply wants our hearts.
Our lives will never be about Jesus if we keep making everything about ourselves. Our lives are about Him and He is LOVE. Therefore we should be fixated on becoming love.
An author I like states, “We don’t need to go on ‘mission trips’ any longer. Jesus’ friends never called them this. They knew love already had a name…We don’t need to call everything we do ‘ministry’ anymore either. Just call it Tuesday. That’s what people who are becoming love do.”
This is something I have been thinking about as I have been embracing the “Life is Ministry. Ministry is Life” concept over the last few years. It is especially true now that I am on the World Race. There is nothing wrong with going on a mission trip and having a more distinct focus during that time. I know I am all for missions done correctly. However, what if every moment of every day was simply compelled by love? What if we allowed ourselves to be interruptible where we are whether that’s the workplace, home, ball field, church, or mission field? What if we simply talked about the things we love and what G-d is doing without keeping scores of data? What if it wasn’t about boasting in us but in Christ instead?
3 For we have already experienced “heart-circumcision,” and we worship God in the power and freedom of the Holy Spirit, not in laws and religious duties. We are those who boast in what Jesus Christ has done, and not in what we can accomplish in our own strength. (Phil 3:3)
I know for me it is easy to get caught up in inward reflection at times neglecting those moments of opportunity around me to become love. I don’t want to lose sight of what He is doing both in and through me as well as the bigger picture as we travel together. I would rather be obedient and follow His voice than anything else.
It’s not about you. It’s not about Me. It’s all about Jesus.
