Performance vs. Faith

must be really good. This is quickly followed up by this thought: I produced the good in my life because I am so good. We drink deeply of the intoxicating brew and let those recognitions and rewards go to our heads. Moses warned the Israelites of this type of thinking about who they are and where their blessings come from. 

‘You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.’ (Deut 8:17-18)

‘After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.”’ (Deut. 9:4)

Paul struggled with this self-righteousness. He had been seduced into thinking that faith was about performance. 

‘If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.’ (Phil 3:4-6)

However, Paul’s thinking was utterly transformed when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. His whole tune changed. He realized that he didn’t have to strive to become good enough, faithful enough, pure enough, zealous enough, or right enough. He no longer had to prove himself to God or others – he could rest in God’s grace. He considered all his performance-oriented striving as worthless:

‘I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.’ (Phil 3:8-9)

In Healing Prayer by Francis McNutt, the author emphasizes that our faith is not in our faith, but in Jesus’ faithfulness; not in our power, but in God’s power to create and recreate; not in our devoted love, but in God’s unsurpassing love that sent his son into the world. We start living – truly living – when we stop striving to gain God’s faithfulness, power, and love. 

God loves you beyond your wildest imagination and there is nothing you can do about it. God wants to speak to you, guide you, bless you, and use you in amazing ways that will bring deep satisfaction and joy. If you try to earn it, you will miss it. If you just open your heart wide and say, ‘Thank you,’ all the treasures of God’s kingdom will be yours.

Blessings,

Jonathan