I remember wanting to go to a party while in high school and needing my dad’s permission. Before I approached him I mowed the lawn and washed his car. And as he responded to this unexpected and unprecedented benevolence from my side, I made my request.
It nearly worked, but I had forgotten about my mother…
Do you sometimes approach God in the same way? What do you think will move Him to say yes?
- Church attendance?
- Helping someone?
- Doing good?
- Preaching the gospel?
Your list may be different from mine or from Paul’s:
Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
(Php 3:4-6 NLT)
Paul had an impressive list, but understood that it was not good enough:
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (Php 3:7 NLT)
When you approach God today, do not offer any kind of deal. The deal has been made, and Jesus did it all. Not part of it, not most of it. All of it!
So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Heb 4:16 MSG)
