Searching For SignificanceSample

The Fruit — Part One

It’s All About Grace

As God’s image-bearers, who are created to glorify him, it’s easy to think that we have a long to-do list of things to accomplish in order to live the kind of life he desires for us. Surely we must do good things for God in return for all he’s done for us, right?

Wrong! Salvation comes at a cost, but not our own — it was a cost that Jesus paid on our behalf.

God saved us by his grace, so it’s important to note that you don’t have to “do” anything for God. At least, not in the traditional sense that we might think of. God’s not interested in you performing for him; he’s interested in you seeking to give him glory, to be in relationship with him.

Let us tell you a story of two sisters. One sister works herself into a frenzy, making a big dinner for a special guest. She’s too busy to stop and listen as he talks.

Meanwhile, her sister isn’t doing anything to help her — she’s just sitting at the guest’s feet, soaking in every word he’s saying! Doesn’t the guest see that the first sister is doing all the work while her sister just sits there?

But no. The guest — Jesus himself — gently rebukes her. He says to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42, NLT).

The first sister, Martha, was a “doer.” She felt like she had to do something for Jesus. Many of us fall into the same trap, feeling like we somehow need to earn the salvation that was given to us. But we need to be more like the second sister, Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and basking in his presence. It’s when we’re with him, listening to him, that we discover the life he planned for us.

Points to Ponder:

• Do you find yourself being a Martha or a Mary? Are you a “doer” or someone who sits at Jesus’ feet?
• If you’re more like Martha, how can you become more like Mary in your relationship with God? If you’re more like Mary, is there anything you need to be on guard against that could cause you to move your focus off of Jesus?