"Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29 (NIV)
Last week I presented some thoughts on how we often feel there is more that we need to do beyond receiving Christ as our Savior to satisfy God. That there is some Christian standard that we are required to live up to in order to please Him, and that if we miss that mark God is disappointed in us. One comment I received made mention of "performance-based acceptance" in childhood, and how being raised in such an environment can impact our relationship with God and our perception of receiving His approval.
I'm so glad this came up, because I would love to address this today from personal experience. I came from a home where "performance-based acceptance" was practiced. As long as I did everything right I received love, and if I didn't do everything right love was withheld. Even forgiveness was withheld. I lived in a constant state of insecurity, never sure that my parents really loved me, and always afraid that they would reject me.
When I reached adulthood I was interested in learning more about God. When people talked about God the Father, I pictured a supreme being who kept a checklist of all the things I did wrong. And I believed that He would never be satisfied with me, no matter how hard I tried. And so, I reckoned that there was no use in trying, and for years stopped seeking God.
Praise God a Christian came into my life who shared the truth of God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. He showed me from the Bible how my view of God was warped, and he led me to the Savior. That being said, I still had much to comprehend about God's unconditional love, and how His love for me was not dependent upon my behavior. It took years, decades really, for me to overcome the need to perform and rest in the knowledge that my salvation and God's love for me was and is secure. Nothing can "pluck me from His hand." "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (John 1:9) Full stop. Nothing else is required, but for us to be honest about our sins and confess them to God. When we ask for forgiveness, He gives it. And being the wonderful Father He is, He never brings it up again. It's done. Hallelujah!
As I mentioned earlier, it has taken decades to comprehend the amazing love and grace of God and to seize it! To allow Him to write a new script for me to live by; one that eliminates the need for performance and relies solely on the truth of what He says in scripture. My journey to wholeness and spiritual wellness began in studying what God's word says, and then choosing to believe it. I prayed to Him to change my mindset. When the enemy Satan would accuse me and try to convince me that God would abandon me for my failures, I did (and still do!) what Jesus did in the wilderness. I quoted scripture, and that truth vanquished the enemy.
I also journaled frequently. Most often after studying scripture. There's something about writing down what we have learned from God's word that cements it in our minds and hearts. And what a joy it is to go back in time to the present and see how God has changed and grown us. How He has overcome the challenges in our lives, and brought us into a vibrant relationship with Him!
Scripture reading, prayer, and journaling. Those are the tools I have used to overcome "performance-based acceptance", as well as other challenges in my life. I would love to hear in the comments how God has overcome challenges in your own life.
Today's music video The Love of God by Marty Goetz, live from Israel, is one I have shared with you in the past. In writing today's encouragement, this song played in my mind, so I take that as a sign to share it once again. It's so beautiful, and its message is so powerful. Enjoy.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
