Topic: YOU CANNOT EARN GOD’S APPROVAL BY WORKS – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 21 May 2020 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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YOU CANNOT EARN GOD’S APPROVAL BY WORKS
“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life.”
Luke 18:18 (KJV)
I see a lot of Christians who try to earn God’s favour by their works. Beloved, don’t try to earn the goodness of God. Just receive it from Him! Receive open heaven! Receive peace! Receive breakthrough in your business and your career! It is all paid for!
According to the account in the book of Luke chapter 18:18-23, the rich young ruler was looking for what to do to impress God. Jesus gave him the do’s and the don’ts of the Ten Commandments. And the man was happy because he was doing all of them. When he finished, Jesus said, now there is still one thing you are lacking. Go and sell all you have and give to the poor. The man left sad. That means he did not receive eternal life. According to the law, if you are lacking in one, you are guilty of all. No man under the sun can meet the standard of God’s righteousness by himself.
However, in the account of Zacchaeus in the book of Luke 19:1-9, He was on top of the tree and Grace came to him. Jesus said: ” Zacchaeus …come down, for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5 KJV).
This was a tax collector! What then happened? The Bible said Zacchaeus came down and while Jesus was in his house, Zacchaeus said Lord, I will divide half of my goods and give to the poor if I have taken anything from any man by falsehood, I will restore it. The man that received grace gave everything.
Grace is powerful. Grace is not a doctrine, but a person. His name is Jesus. Every time your eyes are on Jesus, you will not focus on your achievements. “…looking unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher…” (Hebrew 12:2 KJV). He is the one who finished it. So why are you struggling with your Christian life? Just ride on the wings of what has already been done.
Further Reading: Hebrews 12:1-6, Ephesians 2:1-10
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Chronicles 13-15; Evening- John 7:1-27