What separates Biblical Christianity from every other spiritual or moral pursuit is just that: the pursuit. The Bible teaches that there is no one who does good, nor is it possible to be good enough to obtain the favor of God. Isaiah 64:6 tells us that even our righteousnesses are as a menstruous cloth.

Still, it seems to be our human nature to want to earn recognition, appreciation, and even love. We want to be appreciated and loved for who we are or what we’ve done. However the Scriptures declare that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

The unchanging God has loved us from eternity past (Jer. 31:3). He loves us because of Who He is, not because of anything that we do or are – besides simply being His. He makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45). He is forever perfect. There is nothing that we can do get Him to love us more.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we can please Him by having the faith to believe that He exists and that He rewards them who diligently seek Him. Making effort to seek Him out is considerably different than working to earn His love. They may outwardly look the same, with activities such as prayer and Bible reading, but each has a completely different focus. Seeking Him is born out of the wonder of His love and grace, desiring to know Him more and more. Working to earn His love is self-focused; ever-aware of our own desires and discomfort.

Working to earn His favor is to ignore His grace and to miss out on the transforming freedom that can be ours in Christ. Shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid! For those that are saved by His grace, God has prepared good works beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:8-10) – opportunities of His design to work with Him; not prerequisites for earning His acceptance.

You can stop striving to earn God’s affection. He is always loving you. May the knowledge of His grace inspire you to know Him more and to introduce others to Him.