1. The Focus is on Earning God’s Love versus Accepting It
One of the biggest detours from biblical truth is that God’s love needs to be earned when, in fact, the Bible clearly tells us that God’s love is unconditional.
Which is a very good thing because, as sinners, we are incapable of earning salvation. Salvation being deliverance from sin and its consequences, such as spiritual death and eternal separation from God.
Our efforts or works cannot earn us salvation - no matter how good they are or how many we do; our sinful, fallen state makes that impossible.
In Isaiah 64:5-6 (MSG) it says, “We’ve sinned and kept at it so long! Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved? We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. We dry up like autumn leaves—sin-dried, we’re blown off by the wind.”
Titus 3:4-5 (NLT) says, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
Finally, Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) tells us, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
God’s love for us has always been unconditional - and always will be. We know this because:
One, God doesn’t just feel love as an emotion. We know from 1 John 4:8 that God actually is love. It’s a core part of His divine being; which means it’s always present.
Two, we have verses like Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) to remind us that God’s love is unfailing: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
Unfortunately, however, the idea that God’s love needs to be earned continues to take root - and will do so until the day Jesus returns - for multiple reasons.
And this is what naturally leads to unbiblical concepts such as:
Being “good enough.”
Somehow avoiding sin.
Completing certain practices or tasks that are seen as more “religious” than others (as defined by humans, not God).
Trying to live up to expectations that are unrealistic, weighty, and ultimately lead to hopelessness and despair. (Again, these expectations are defined by humans, not God.)
In addition, this focus on trying to earn God’s love actually takes the focus off of God and what He wants to do in your life.
Think of it this way. If I spent even 90% of my time and energy consistently focused on earning God’s love by being “good enough” - whatever that looks like - I wouldn’t have any time, space, or internal bandwidth to:
Grow in my personal relationship with Him
Listen for His voice
Serve and love others
Or execute my calling which includes this podcast and Relate Escape
The sneaky thing about focusing on earning God’s love - rather than accepting it - is that the former is really all about me. It’s not about Him.
We don’t necessarily intend to be self-focused. (Which is why I say that this is sneaky.) But stop and think about it for a minute.
If our focus is always on what we’re doing, it’s not on who He is. Or what He wants to do in our lives - and through our lives - for the sake of others.
And it’s who God is (aka His character) that is our source of love, light, and hope.
A God who doesn’t just feel love but actually is love? 24/7/365 no matter what one does?
A God whose love is unconditional and unfailing?
A God who has loved all of us since before He created the world? (Which we read in Ephesians 1:4.)
That’s the God you’ve been yearning for, right? That’s the God you’ve been hoping for?
He’s been here all along! Waiting to invite you to simply accept His love - and to finally lay down the burden of trying to earn it. (Despite the environment that you’re in that’s been telling you otherwise.)
Now, of course, understanding the biblical truth - and wanting to accept that invitation - is one thing. Stepping into it is another.
So here are some tools you can use to help in this breakthrough transition:
Podcast Episodes
Episode #187: Lacking Confidence that God’s Love is Reliable? Use These 3 Filters to Remind Yourself of the Truth
Episode #177: Struggling to Trust that God Really Loves You? Use These 2 Hacks to Increase Your Confidence and Faith
Episode #176: Not Seeing Any Signs of God’s Unconditional Love in Your Life? 2 Loving Gifts that He’s Blessing You With Right Now
This is the first mini course in my foundational course series.
It will help you gain a clear, biblical understanding of God's love through its five foundational traits.
It can easily be completed in a week’s time and comes with a workbook and several bonuses.
2. Theres Isn’t a Focus on Jesus
Now, this might sound odd being that we’re talking about God. But hang with me for a minute and this will start to make sense.
Here’s the thing. The only path to salvation - which we talked about earlier in the episode - is through Jesus.
John 14:6 (NLT) says: Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT) says: “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.”
A lack of focus on Jesus means there’s a lack of focus on the only way to salvation.
Which, again, is the deliverance from sin and its consequences, including spiritual death and eternal separation from God.
But Jesus is also the greatest expression of God’s unconditional love for us - and undeniable proof that we don’t need to earn His affection or favor by being “good enough.”
Romans 5:8 (NLT) says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
So when a religious group doesn’t believe in Jesus or doesn’t keep Him front and center, the biggest expression of God’s love - and our source of hope - is absent.
As sinful, fallen humans we are incapable of earning salvation. Yet because of God’s steadfast character - which is loving, gracious, and merciful - He didn’t leave us without hope.
He didn’t stop loving us or leave us to our own devices after the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned, unleashing sin into the world and separating us from God.
Instead, God already had a plan to send Jesus - His one and only Son who is part of the Triune God - to save us.
We see this in Genesis 3:15 (NLT) where God says to the serpent: “And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
This sounds mysterious, but God is referring to Jesus and His defeat over sin and death by going to the cross for us and being resurrected three days later.
Friend, not only does God already love you unconditionally - He sent Jesus to rescue you from despair and usher you into hope!
But it’s likely that this feels new to you. Maybe you’re not familiar with Jesus at all, or you only know small bits of information.
So here are some tools you can use to learn more about Jesus and how much He mirrors God’s character and His love for you:
Podcast Episodes
Episode #93: Who is Jesus Christ? 3 Biblical Facts that Will Instantly Reveal His Character and Overwhelming Love for You
Episode #94: Tired of Carrying the Weight of Hopelessness? Jesus Wants to Help Lift Your Burden Using This Loving Exercise
Episode #175: Puzzled as to How the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Reflects God’s Love? These 3 Biblical Truths Reveal All
This is the third course in my foundational series.
Normally, I recommend that you take the courses in order as I’ve strategically created them to build upon one another.
However, in this case, I’m going to give you special permission to skip ahead!
If you want to quickly get up-to-speed on who Jesus is, this course will equip you with a clear, biblical foundation.
