Hope When We Are Not Good Enough – HOPE Challenge Day 11
“For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” Galatians 5:5
I was a straight-A student in school. I loved little gold stars and hearing that I did something well. I was also raised to be confident and think that I could do anything I put my mind to.
I imagine that the Pharisees were a little like me. They knew the rules and had done a good job of learning them and following them. They were respected and viewed as rulers. People listened to them when they spoke.
No One is Perfect
It seems from the letters in the New Testament that early Christians often ran into people like the Pharisees and me who thought they could be made righteous by following the law. They might have even been good at it, but, just like me (and the Pharisees), they weren’t perfect.
When we cling to doing good things or following the rules in the hopes of being made right, we will fail and be separated from God.
A Sinless Life
It is only through grace, by faith, that we are reconciled to God. We must put all our eggs in one basket, so to speak. We have to believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross for our sins, and rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death.
“For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” Galatians 5:5
Our hope makes us eagerly await. Our faith enables us to hope for righteousness at all. We know we cannot succeed by following the law, and are redeemed because we believe that Jesus is the only Way.
HOPE Challenge Day 11 Action Step:
Pray for eyes to be opened to our inability to be made righteous through our works.
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Who do you know that needs to embrace this truth? Pray specifically for those people in your life. Ask God to lead you in what He wants you to do to draw them to the truth.
Are there any areas in your own life where you are still trying to “earn” God’s love or favor? We will never be good enough. He loves us in spite of the fact that we can never be good enough. It’s time to release those areas and put all your hope in the work already done by Jesus.
HOPE Challenge Day 11 Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you that I don’t have to be good enough. Thank you for Jesus paying the price for my sin. Help me to let go of the idea that I can do it all on my own. Please bring all my loved ones to right relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Click here for the HOPE Challenge overview page and to grab your free printables!
Link to the Drawing a Cross Tutorial that I mention in this video: https://www.devotioninaction.com/2018/05/01/drawing-a-cross-and-sheep-bible-art-journaling-john-10/