The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me [Jesus] and have believed that I came from God. (John 16:27)

No matter how much we feel the need to trophy our good works before God in order to merit his acceptance, our accomplishments are never the reason God loves us. 

This realization that our good works will not move him to love us runs counter to our natural reasoning. Most people readily admit “nobody’s perfect,” and yet many still think that their standing with God depends on their good works outweighing the bad. 

Such persons are shocked to discover the Bible teaches our best works are filthy rags to a holy God (Is. 64:6), and that Jesus said when we have done all we should do, we are still unworthy (Lk. 17:10).

 Countering all of that terrible news is the good news of the gospel: our gracious God loves all who trust in Christ, despite their unworthiness. Jesus came from God to provide the holiness we cannot attain. 

We don’t have to balance the scales of divine justice with our good works (that aren’t good enough) because Jesus balanced the scales for us with his righteous life and perfect sacrifice. We live for him not to balance God’s scales, but to demonstrate love and thanksgiving for the One who did. 

Trying to make trophies of your good deeds won’t carry much weight with a holy God. Trust instead that Jesus came from God to balance the scales of divine justice for you. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you sending Jesus because of your mercy rather than my merit. Help me to show my love and thanksgiving by living for the holy One who balanced the scales of divine justice by paying the penalty for all my sins.