As we’re growing up, we’re often told that the harder we work, the better our outcome. Whether that’s in our school work and exams, or in our jobs when we’re aiming for promotion. But when it comes to our Christian journey, we can’t apply the same principle. We don’t need to be striving and stressing about being good enough to be accepted or used by God. We already are. He loves and accepts us as we are. If we’re living in the belief that we need to follow a certain set of rules, and make ourselves pure and holy before we can be good enough for God, then we’re striving unnecessarily. Romans 6:14 says: ‘For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace’ (NIV). Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we’re no longer chained by our sin, but set free by His grace. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. We’ll all sin (we’re told that in Romans 3:23), but if we’ve given our lives to Christ, then we’re not condemned. Instead, His grace allows us to live as His children, to enjoy His blessings, and to have the promise of eternal life. If we try to make ourselves good enough, we’ll become frustrated because we can’t. We have to live by faith in God, not faith in ourselves. We need to realise that we must surrender our own plans, our need for control, and our pride, and rely on His grace instead. Paul said: ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ Can we say the same?

What Now?

Take a minute to ask God to help you stop striving to be good enough, and instead rely on His grace.