Our world is consumed by comparing success, and so it can be discouraging when we see others succeeding and doing better than us.
We want people to recognise us and see us as successful, and so we easily fall into the cycle of our lives becoming consumed by work, busyness, and striving.
Hoping that, at the end of the day, we will find some form of acceptance, love, and validation of those around us.
So, life can become all consumed around what I need to do for myself.
Yet, Jesus counters this culture trend, and offers us something that we don’t need to work or perform for, in order to find acceptance and love.
Listen to the words of Jesus in Ephesians 2 v 8 – 9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This whole plan and process of salvation comes from God as a gift, not from ourselves as the result of works or good things that we have done; nothing about salvation is worked up from within ourselves.
In a world where everything is earned (grades, pay cheques, recognition), the Gospel offers something completely different: a free gift.
Given the truth of this text, it is crucial to ask oneself, “What do I rely on for my salvation?” Are you relying upon good things you have done?
Or do you recognise that you have nothing to contribute and simply cast yourself upon the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ?
Pastor Ryan Taylor, Lochgilphead Baptist Church.
Why not try these links to see what our West Coast AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.