William Tyndale, an early 16th Century British reformer, who translated the New Testament into English against fierce opposition and ultimately martyred because of it, wrote:
“The Scripture urges us to do good, not in order to win God’s love but to do good because God loves us. Faith naturally results in good works. If good works are not the result, then it is only a dream, an opinion, a pretension of faith. Notice that fruit does not make a tree good. Fruit is testimony that the tree is good already.”
How true this is even today. Many people think in reverse that if we do good things, God will love us. We are already loved. God doesn’t love us more if we do good. Actually, he can’t love us more. He is love and that love is unconditional and constant. This is where we start. Any action stems from that love, because of that love; not to earn what can’t be earned.
If this is your struggle, stop trying to earn what can’t be earned. Before you do anything, allow the Holy Spirit to saturate your being with how much you are loved—not because of any action, but simply because God is love. In fact, stay in that state of being as long as needed. Don’t worry about your actions, they will come soon enough.
- Monday – Matthew 28
- Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1
- Wednesday – 1 Thessalonians 2
- Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 3
- Friday – 1 Thessalonians 4
- Families in crisis.
- Loved ones battling illness.
- Those seeking to find their way.
- The St. Paul Church family and our ministries.
- The United Methodist Church family.
- Our leaders, our country, and our world.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6