For When You Need to Quit Performing to Earn God’s Love and Blessing :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 2}

Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV)

Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

 

I want to live a life that is blessed, and I think most of you do too. And I’m thankful that the blessings God gives are not dependent upon our performance. His love for us never changes, no matter what we do.

But unfortunately, some well-meaning people get the idea that if they could BE more or DO more, they’d be MORE blessed by God.

They assume that somehow, or someway,

if they volunteered more hours,

behaved better in their relationships,

or made less mistakes with their reactions,

it would earn them more points with God–that somehow He’d be more proud of them and bless them more.

So as a result, some people end up believing they have to perform to be blessed by God–that they have to earn His love.

And that becomes so sad, because none of us can ever measure up. We will all fail–somehow, someway. And if we think it’s all about performance, we’ll saddle ourselves with guilt, become depressed, and feel defeated.

And the saddest part, is that over time, we may actually give up. We may choose to stop trying, because deep down we realize we’ll never be enough.

But knowing we’re not enough is exactly the place God wants us to be–it’s the beginning of blessing. 

Because it is in that place, we become truly poor in spirit.

When we have reached the end of ourselves.

When we recognize our depravity and failure before a holy God.

When we acknowledge we’re not enough,

and have regret for our failure.

It’s in these moments we mourn our sin, and are able to acknowledge our need for God. And it is only then, that we are capable of meekness–capable of submitting to God and His way, instead of our own.

Sweet friend … in all your do-gooding and self-reliant trying, please know..

There is absolutely nothing you can do to make God love you more.

And there is absolutely nothing you can do to make Him love you any less.

That is the beauty of the gospel.

And it’s because of Jesus that we have a relationship with God. Because when God looks upon us, He doesn’t see us. Instead, He only sees the righteousness of Christ.

We are righteous before God because of Christ, and the righteousness of Christ doesn’t change.

Jesus is not more righteous when we do more for God.

And Jesus is not less righteous when we sin against God.

And that’s why we need to give up our try-hard life.

That’s why we need to quit trying to earn God’s love and blessing.

And so, may you rest today in His great love…

As you are poor in spirit and acknowledge you’re not enough,

as you mourn your failure and are comforted,

and as you, in meekness, choose to submit to God.

He has so many blessings in store!

How has God been blessing you lately?

Do you struggle with trying to earn God’s blessing?

This week on to Matthew 5:6-8 (ESV)…

{WEEK 3}

Matthew 5:6-8 (ESV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

 

b a t  w h a t f r f t s b s b a t m f t s r m b a t p i h f t s s g

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1371-1385} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with April’s printable.

#1371 Laughter with a laboring patient–both of us, mamas of 5

#1372 Freshly washed hair and smooth braids

#1373 New ballet and dance beginnings, black skirts, and hair bun held in place

#1374 Rain pattering down

#1375 Sunshine peeking through clouds

#1376 Water dewdrops on vibrant plants

#1377 Memories triggered by sorting clothes

#1378 New podcasts to learn from

#1379 A talk with a friend

#1380 Dinner date out with engaging conversation–him still being my very best friend

#1381 My in-laws…so givng and selfless

#1382 My husband playing his guitar

#1383 A father baptizing his little girl

#1384 A timely sermon

#1385 Offering the worship in song, of my whole heart

Related posts:

Seeing the Gifts For When We Need to Keep Pressing On For When You Want to Know How to Really Teach :: Sermon On the Mount {Week 1}