Do we earn God’s love through works?
Our Worth Isn't in Our Works: Finding Freedom in True Relationship with Christ
Y'all, can we have an honest conversation?
For the longest time, I treated my relationship with God like a spiritual to-do list: ✓ Daily devotional - check ✓ Sunday service - check ✓ Bible study - check ✓ Volunteer work - check ✓ 'Christian' social media posts - check
I was exhausted trying to be the 'perfect Christian.' Always doing, rarely just being. Maybe you can relate?
But here's the beautiful truth God has been teaching me: Our relationship with Christ isn't a performance review - it's a love story.
Think about your closest friendships. They aren't built on a checklist of tasks or maintaining a perfect image. They're built on genuine connection, honest conversations, and showing up as your authentic self. Our relationship with Christ? It's meant to be even more real than that.
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Let that sink in. Not. By. Works.
Your morning devotional? Beautiful, but it doesn't make God love you more. Your church attendance? Wonderful, but it doesn't earn you extra grace. Your Instagram posts about faith? Great for encouraging others, but they don't secure your salvation.
These things can help us grow closer to God, but they're meant to be expressions of our love, not requirements for His.
Here's what changed everything for me: The day I stopped trying to earn God's love and started receiving it. The day I realized He wanted my authentic heart more than my perfect performance. The day I understood that Jesus didn't die for my checklist - He died for my heart.
What does this mean practically?
It means coming to Him with our mess, not our perfection
It means honest prayers over polished performances
It means resting in His grace instead of striving for approval
It means relationship over religion
If you're feeling exhausted from trying to earn what's already freely given, I want you to know:
God's love isn't dependent on your performance
His grace isn't measured by your works
Your worth isn't found in your checklist
Your relationship with Him isn't earned - it's received
Today, I challenge you (and myself) to lay down the spiritual to-do list. Instead, let's focus on simply being with Him. Share your real thoughts, your actual struggles, your authentic heart. Because that's what He wants - not your perfect performance, but your present self.
Let's pray: Father, thank You that Your love isn't earned but freely given. Help us rest in Your grace and find freedom in true relationship with You. Teach us to stop striving and start receiving. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Your sister in Christ,
Brooke
