July 9, 2004

            Aren’t God’s ways wonderful?  As human beings we frequently attempt to “make God in our image”, assuming that how we do things is how God does things.  It turns out though that nothing could be farther from the truth!  “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.  ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:9).

            In our natural state we are inclined to think, for instance, that we must somehow “earn” our righteousness before God; that we may earn salvation (eternal destiny with Him) through the keeping of rules and regulations.  Isn’t it odd then to hear God say, “No.  It doesn’t work that way”?  “… No one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the Law; rather, through the Law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20).

            You are probably finding that your very best service to Him somehow falls short of the perfection that His holy Law requires.  You may be wondering then how one really does find God’s favor and enter into the righteousness that the Holy One requires.

            God’s provision for righteousness for men and women has always simply been faith/belief.  “Abram BELIEVED the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6, again in Romans 4:3).

            Of course, John 1:12-13 says, “…to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of His glory.”  And finally, in Romans 3:21-22 it says “… now a righteousness from God, apart from the Law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe….”

            Hungry for more of God in your life?  Then understand God’s provision for acceptance.  You have nothing to prove to Him.  You have no burden of sin in your past that the perfect sacrifice of Jesus can’t cover.  You have no reason to say “no” to the One Who loves you so much that He was willing to pay so great a price for you to know fellowship with Him.

            Wondering if there is any purpose for your life?  While you cannot be “saved” BY good works you have been saved FOR good works:  “…It is by grace you have been saved, though faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

            If you turn to Jesus, you will find both acceptance through faith in Him and purpose as your walk with Him is “fleshed out” through your works.  After all, real faith cannot help but result in fruitful service to Him. If you, like so many in the world today, find yourself starved for acceptance and emptied of purpose, look to the One Who offers you life through His atoning work on the cross and know that in Him, you’ll find all you need and more.

(Thom Mollohan has ministered in southern Ohio for the last nine years and is pastor of Pathway Community Church.   He and his wife are the parents of three children.  If you would like to send a comment or question to him, he may be reached by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).