Finding God's Favor

"I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is." Gal 5:10

Ever find yourself wondering, "How do I receive God's favor?"  I know I've wondered that question.  Is there something more I should be doing? Am I doing something wrong?  Not praying enough, studying enough, serving enough, giving enough?  What's a sister gotta do to see things go her way sometimes?

The thing is we can't do ANYTHING to earn God's favor.  It's called GRACE and it's given freely to his children.  Oh, we'll try, by golly, we'll try to earn it.  Just like the Galatians that Paul was speaking to here.  

Paul starts this part of his letter with one of my favorite verses in all scripture.  "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  Jesus did not die on a cross to FREE me from the bondage of having to DO things (the Law) so that I would eventually put those chains back on again.  He died to set me free FOREVER.  

The law was created in the OT to ultimately show us that there was no possible way we could ever live the holy life God requires--NO way.  There were over 400 of them (ck out Leviticus and Deuteronomy)  I have a hard time with keeping the main 10!  The Law points to our need for a Savior, a Messiah, who would fulfill the Law on our behalf, sacrificing HIMSELF for all our sin, ultimately freeing us from the burden of all those laws.  When we accept Jesus' sacrifice was meant for us and ask him to lead our lives as Lord, that freedom is ours!!!  Hallelujah!!!

But, too often, we feel we need to contribute to our salvation.  So, we go to church hoping God sees our efforts and will look kindly on us or show us favor in some area we think we need or want.  We do all the "religious" things all the while missing the relationship (vs. 2-4).  

Instead of trying to earn God's favor by DOING things, we should "eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us." (vs 5)  God's favor expressed through making us totally holy and righteous is coming-when we one day get to Heaven, otherwise called Glorification, the removal of sin from our midst...Hallelujah again!  Until that day, what's important is "faith expressing itself in love." (vs. 6)

Does God want you to go to church to worship Him with other believers?
Absolutely
Does He want you to read your Bible and pray?
Absolutely
Does He want you to serve others and give tithes to his kingdom?
Absolutely

He just doesn't want you to do it to earn points with gain or gain favor that's already yours.  He wants those acts to come out of relationship.  A NEED in you to spend time with Him and get to know him better.  A desire to give yourself and what money He's given you back to him out of gratefulness for what he's done for you.  

Now, that's FREEDOM...