One will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:7-8).

Messages that are entirely “Be good” or “Be like someone in the Bible” or “Be more disciplined” sound biblical but torpedo the gospel.

While there’s nothing wrong with these messages in themselves, by themselves they’re insufficient. They imply, “You just have to be good enough for God, or be better than other people, or be more disciplined than you were, and then God will love you.”

The Bible says quite the opposite: when you’ve done all you can do, you’re still an unworthy servant (Luke 17:10). So, how can we possibly have a relationship with God, if we cannot earn it?

The Bible explains the alternative to faith in our performance: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”!  That’s the good news of the gospel. God doesn’t base his love on what we do but on the grace provided by the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ!

We are not commanded to be good, or be like so and so, or be more disciplined to gain God’s love, but to respond to his grace by trusting him and loving as he commands. Our deeds do not earn his love but show ours. Our faith is not in our goodness but in his grace.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me even when I was your enemy. Help me to respond to your grace with loving gratitude displayed in faithful obedience.