Did You Get Grace From Working Hard?

The apostle Paul got real upset with Christians who thought that checking off boxes on the religion scorecard got them something with God. He insisted that God poured out the Spirit freely and by grace and we open ourselves up to it - no amount of exacting righteousness was going to work. As one author puts it:

When spiritual vitality is measured by sin-avoidance, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are following Jesus faithfully. But following Jesus is to be measured by love – love for God expressed in love for neighbor. - Rich Villodas, Good and Beautiful and Kind

In a letter to some very religious Christians, Paul puts the question to them multiple times:

• I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law? - Galatians 3:2

• So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law? - Galatians 3:5

So how about you - how hard are you trying to get things right in order to receive grace and love and the Spirit from God? Are you getting tired of that approach to religion?

There may be a better way - the way of trust, of love, of grace. Ask God for help to walk in this new way, the way of Christ, today.