Works Without Grace is Dead

I think I had a toxic relationship with God. 

I came to the realization that my relationship with God was toxic. Yes, you read that right toxic. Not because I had been mistreated and not because my relationship was inconsistent but it was toxic because of me.

Maybe you’ve heard the scripture, faith without works is dead. And it’s true, you can’t believe for something to happen and yet wait around without putting in effort. While I do agree, I learned in all my doing that works without a true understanding of God’s grace left me exhausted, burned out, upset, tired & overwhelmed. On days where I felt I did everything correctly, I felt accomplished and I knew God was pleased with me. But on days where I was inconsistent or feeling unmotivated, I’d feel horrible for missing the mark of where I was supposed to be.

We have all been placed on this Earth to serve a specific purpose to the world and to the people God places in our lives. What’s amazing to me is that before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the disciples that they would do even greater works than Him because they believed in Christ (see John 14:12).

Our belief in Christ tells us that we were made to make an impact, however setting out to make an impact without a proper understanding of God’s grace will have you frustrated and maybe even resentful towards the “greater work” He’s given you to do. Know that by His grace, you can do everything He has set out for you and remember the Holy Spirit is empowering you to accomplish it all. 

Don’t try to do the works on your own, remember to remain in Him. In your obedience to Him, in His love to you, in your understanding of the world but most importantly remain in and receive His grace.