When seeking to understand works vs faith as Christians, two pitfalls often emerge: the compulsion to prove oneself through works and the tendency to justify one's sins. It results in us tending to fall upon a spectrum:
Doing good works to prove myself -----------------------I don’t have to do anything, I’m still loved
Let's unpack both ends of this spectrum, looking at the psychology of these ways of thinking, before looking at what God says is the True way to understand works and faith.
The Quest for Approval: Proving Yourself Through Works
Many Christians find themselves in the relentless pursuit of proving their worthiness through works. Inside we feel not good enough and afraid that God will be angry with us if we don't do the right things. Whether it's shouldering numerous responsibilities, aspiring to leadership roles, or engaging in acts of generosity, the motivation is often the desire for external validation. This quest for approval is actually a self-serving approach, overshadowing the sincerity of the good works. shifting the focus from God and others to personal validation.
The Dangers of Self-Justification
Others fall into the trap of self-justification, finding comfort in the assurance of God's unconditional love. While God's love is steadfast, this perspective may lead to complacency, disregarding our sins and dismissing the need for genuine repentance. We often feel that change is too hard or difficult, and are afraid of the loss of friendships or opportunities. There is a danger in justifying our sins, and it is a misunderstanding of what unconditional love truly is.
The Correct Way of Thinking: Understanding God's Love
The heart of true faith lies in understanding God's desire for a genuine relationship. Rather than working to prove ourselves or justifying our sins, the correct path involves recognising God's love for us and those around us. This becomes the driving force for authentic good works, seeking to give back and pour out God's love into the world. This shift in perspective transforms our actions from mere obligations to expressions of love and devotion.
It also understands that whilst God loves us unconditionally, he also has boundaries. He clearly tells us that if we walk away from Him and worship idols and ourselves, He will remove His hand of blessing from us. Understanding what a healthy relationship with boundaries looks like helps us understand the way that God loves us - always ready to accept us back, but not allowing us to abuse and dishonour His love for us.
Conclusion:
You will find you fall more to one side of the spectrum than the other. Whether you feel you need to prove yourself to others, or self-justify your actions, we all need to come back to the centre of the spectrum:
Understanding God's love for us, and wanting to do good works out of that love.
Let our faith be a journey grounded in the understanding of God's love, fostering a relationship where the desire to do good works emerges organically; a relationship that transcends the need for external validation or self-justification and is deeply rooted in the authenticity of our faith and love for God.