WORKS AND WAGES VERSUS GIVING AND RECEIVING

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 KJV

If I go to church more, pay my tithe regularly, do more charitable deed, read my Bible more, pray longer and worship God long enough, maybe and just maybe God will be happier with me. That's the mentality of most christians today. A lot of people have disqualified themselves from receiving God's best simply because they feel they haven't worked hard enough to deserve it. My question to you today is; how hard is hard enough, how good is good enough and how much is enough for you to earn and deserve God's goodwill and favor. How far do you have to go to please God and be perfect before Him.

Our God is a perfect and righteous God (see Matt. 5:48). His standard cannot be compromised and no mortal man on this earth has the ability or capability to satisfy Him. The Bible says the best of our righteousness is as good as a filthy rag (see Isaiah 64:6).

As long as you try to earn the goodness of the Lord by your good works and efforts, then you'll get what you deserve.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:4,5 (KJV)
If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift.  But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it--you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked--well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift. Romans 4:4,5 (MSG)

In the Old Testament, the children of Israel had a works-and-wages kind of relationship with God because the Law was in between them. They got what they deserved for their works, even though God was still merciful to them by establishing the priesthood and sacrifices (which was a picture of Jesus and His ministry) to make atonement for their shortcomings so that He can still show mercy to them. They were blessed when they obeyed, but cursed when they disobeyed.

In the New Testament however, we have a giving-and-receiving kind of relationship. God is the giver and we are the receivers. If you check through the New Testament pages of your Bible, you'll find that God is a perpetual giver. He has given us all things to enjoy in the New Testament. Its a New Kind of relationship.
We got the basics from Moses, and then this EXUBERANT GIVING AND RECEIVING, This endless knowing and understanding-- all this came through Jesus, the Messiah. John 1:17 (MSG) Emphasis mine.

Notice how the Word of God describes this new relationship we have with God which was brought to us by Christ Jesus- its called an exuberant giving and receiving relationship.

Take a look at a few scriptures from the New Testament that will make this clearer to you.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to GIVE GOOD GIFTS unto your children: HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father GIVE the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU the kingdom.

James 1:17 EVERY GOOD GIFT and EVERY PERFECT GIFT is from above, and COMETH down FROM THE FATHER of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more THEY WHICH RECEIVE abundance of grace and of THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 6:23 For the WAGES of sin is death; but THE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Did you notice that in all and every of those scriptures, God is on the giving side? Our requirement in the New Testament is to receive what He has done for us in Christ Jesus. Its an error to try and earn His goodness in the New Testament. Our praying and studying the Bible or giving and tithing should not be to try and earn His goodwill and blessing, it should be because we love Him for first loving us.

When Zacchaeus experienced the goodness, kindness and mercy of a loving savior, it opened up his wallet automatically. Jesus didn't have to tell him to give, he just gave because he was overwhelmed that Jesus could come into the house of an undeserving sinner like himself. That led him to give back four times to the people he had robbed and cheated.

Your highness, only the grace and love of God can make you pleasing and satisfactory to God. If you can see and receive His grace, you'll notice that your prayer life will change, your study habit will improve and you'll give freely to the Cause of the Lord. Read this:
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6 (KJV)

Today, God is calling you into a relationship of exuberant giving and receiving with Him. Will you say yes? If you have not yet receive God's best and biggest gift- Christ Jesus, you can say this now and receive Him instantly:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me into this amazing and exuberant giving and receiving relationship with you in Christ Jesus. Today, I believe that you gave Jesus for my sake. I receiving Him into my heart and life and I confess Him as my Lord and eternal savior. I receive everything you have deposited for me in Christ and I live the abundant life to the fullest in Jesus name. Thank you Jesus for grace. Amen

I believe things are turning around for good in your life because you just made that confession. I am happy for you. Please call me or send me a text to let me know what God has done in your life through this post:
+2348114427241, +2348068253270 or send me an email:
sundayyabi@yahoo.com
I will be so glad to hear from you. Till then, remain blessed and remember: You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Shalom!

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