Work and Motives

Do this, do that. Be here at this time. Work, study, workout, talk to friends and family, eat, sleep and oh yeah, most importantly, remember to fit in some quiet God time and Bible reading.

God, I am trying so hard for you, to be my very best for you. I need to be a good person, to talk to as many people as I can about Jesus. I need to always do what is right so I can gain your love and salvation.

Wait, take a step back. You are trying to earn God’s love and salvation? That is ridiculous! Outrageous!

We don’t have to work for our salvation, it is a gift from God.

“God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

The fact of the matter is, nothing we do, good or bad, can make God love us any more or any less. And when we are going through our daily duties for the reason of gaining His love, we’re just exulting our own actions over Jesus’ death and resurrection. I know, I have been there, and it’s tough. It’s easy to get caught up in working so hard because you feel like you need to please yourself, others, and even God. Sometimes, I just feel like I have too much work to do. But sometimes God puts more on our plate than we can handle, for the sole reason that we need to rely only on and in Him, and not our own abilities. All we need to do is give God our hearts.

Ask yourself this: Why do you work so hard? Are you working for earthly treasures, or for those of heaven? Do you feel like you are trying to win God’s love, or are you working solely to glorify God in everything you do?

Are your motives towards work in line?

God created us to work, He prepared works for us to do to praise Him. Our job is to do this work with joy and love, knowing that we are doing His will through it. But when it comes to salvation, God has already done the work for us. He sent Jesus to die for us on the cross. He died for you as if you were the only person on earth, and He did that for each and every person that has ever walked on the face of the earth.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your sacrifice and saving grace. We will work not to win our own salvation, but to serve you and you alone. We are not here to please anyone but you Lord. Help us to do your will here on earth and to spread the news of your strength and love. We praise you, we trust you, and we love you, forever and ever. Amen.