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Falling Short

Yesterday I addressed a common misconception about what God’s favor is. Today I want to look at a misconception about how we receive this favor.

The Bible couldn’t be clearer that God’s favor must be earned. “[God] will render to each one according to his works” (Romans 2:6, ESV). If you want glory, honor, and peace from God, then do good—always and forever. That’s it; that’s the deal. But if you fail, if you are self-seeking, disobedient, and unrighteous, what you “win” is not eternal life but wrath and indignation.

It’s a pretty simple system, isn’t it? Do this and live; do that and die. If you want God’s favor, earn it. 

I’m not pulling your leg. And neither was the apostle Paul when he wrote Romans 2. 

Paul also wasn’t kidding when, a chapter later, he reveals how many people he expects to meet the standard and win God’s favor. Look at what he says: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (3:10–12).

So here’s the point so far: God’s favor is not a game, and it is not some special gold-plated status that brings good things into our lives. It is the very friendship of God, and by our sin and rebellion against him, we have forfeited that favor. What’s more, there’s no way we’re able to earn it back, and God cannot and will not simply suspend justice and grant us his favor anyway. No, his standard must be met. His law must be obeyed. Justice and righteousness must be honored and satisfied. His favor must be earned and won.

But how? If we can’t do these things ourselves, then how on earth will they ever happen? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s devotional.…

Have you reached a point yet where you have admitted your failure to live up to God’s standard on your own and don’t deserve his favor? Or are you still relying on your futile attempts?