SEARCHLIGHT
Do you ever wonder if you are a “good enough Christian”?
SCRIPTURE
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. James 2:22,23 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Martin Luther struggled with being a “good enough Christian.” He did not think he could live a complete Christian life that would please God. This drove him to become the initiator of the Protestant Reformation. Luther was so devoted to God that he ended up competing with himself to become more acceptable to God. He could not pray enough in order to feel that he was forgiven. Luther would confess his sin and do penance only to realize he felt he should do more. Having searched the Bible, he finally concluded that he did not have to repent more, pray more, give more, serve more, or fast more in order to experience God’s forgiveness. Martin Luther discovered that God’s Word said he was justified by faith and not deeds. See Romans 3:24,28; 4:1,2; 5:1,9; 10:10. God had made him complete and was continuing to do so.
Living a Christian life is not a competition. It is not a public event where people compete to see who is the best Christian by their giving or their serving. Neither is it a personal contest to see how many times you can read the Bible, go to church, or help someone in need. You do not become a friend of God like Abraham did by how many good things you do.
Jesus called out the Pharisees for making the Christian faith a public competition. He often referred to them as hypocrites. Their lives were driven by how well a person lived out the many laws stated in the Pentateuch. They tried to prove they were closer to God than the poor and needy people who were barely eking out a living. Jesus called them out because they believed God’s grace, mercy, love, and favor were gained by personal merit.
Christ told the story of a Pharisee and tax collector praying in the temple. The first man believed God should hear his prayers because of the so called good he had done and because of how righteous he lived. He compared himself to the second man who was a lying, cheating tax man who wanted to confess his sin. The second man made no claim to having any reason why he should receive God’s favor. Sincerely he confessed he was an undeserving sinner needing God’s mercy. [Luke 18:9-14]
When you view the Christian life as a competition, you have to exalt yourself. You will live under the pressure of doing things in order to be the best Christian possible. On the other hand, when you see the Christian life as a completion, you have to humble yourself. Why? Because Jesus has done everything to save you from your sin. Living a Christian life is not determined by how many hours you pray each day or how many times you go to church every week. Instead, it is based on whether you are a friend of God.
Have you ever found yourself praying more or giving more because you wanted God to answer a prayer. You do not have to pray 5 hours, attend church 4 hours and read your Bible 3 hours to be sure that God hears your prayers. Yes, there are times when you should seek God for longer times, but the point is this. Your personal relationship with God is based on His love for you and your faith in Him. You are not a Christian believer who will someday go to heaven because of what you did but only because of what Jesus did for you on Calvary.
Christians should avoid the competition trap. Instead take the following steps:
- Live complete by exercising faith and living out your faith. You do not have to earn points to experience God’s grace and mercy. Read today’s Scripture focus. Your faith in Jesus Christ, which is demonstrated by your devotion to honor Jesus, makes you complete. Just like Abraham, you are called God’s friend. You are only saved from your sin by God’s grace. Your life gives testimony to this saving faith. Words and deeds must complement each other. Living a complete life will never be marked by insincerity or hypocrisy. Living complete means by God’s grace you are what you are and what you are becoming. QUESTION: Are you completely trusting God to save you from your sin? Is it seen by your behavior?
- Live complete by trusting God and His Word. 1 John 2:5,6 state, “But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” Living by God’s principles and commands will cause you to become a complete person. Mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually you will develop into a well-balanced person. QUESTION: Is the Bible your highest, written authority to understand life?
- Live complete by loving God. 1 John 4:16,17 state, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” Loving God first before loving anyone else leads you to discover life’s richest meanings. QUESTION: Do you love God more than anyone or anything?
- Live complete by loving all people. 1 John 4:12 states, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” Loving all people regardless of class, citizenship, color, or creed guards you from prejudice, injustice, disrespect, and favoritism. QUESTION: Do you respect and honor all people?
- Live complete by persevering. James 1:4 states, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Maturity comes from persevering in faith when facing trials and tribulations. QUESTION: Do you believe that all things will work together for your good as long as God is in control of your life? [Romans 8:28]
SOMETHING TO DO
Read the Romans “justified by faith” Scriptures listed in the first paragraph of the devotional.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, Heavenly Father, that I can be your friend because of Your love, grace, and mercy. I cannot do anything to deserve this great privilege. You make me complete in Your eyes through Your Son who gave His life on the cross. Thank you, Lord God, that I can live a complete, fulfilled, abundant life by allowing You to empower me. AMEN