He chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. —Ephesians 1:4
The notion that you can do something to have value or to earn God’s love is heretical.
God chose you before the world was created. He knit you together in your mother’s womb and declared that you have been “wondrously made” (Psalm 139:14). He loved you before you could love Him (1 John 4:19). If you belong to Him, nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. 8:38–39).
At the root of the lie that you must earn God’s favor is a mindset that’s based on works rather than grace (Rom. 11:6). Responding to God’s love, which He profoundly expressed in the death of Jesus, is all that’s required for you to experience His favor. Rather than trying to do something for Him (works-based), you need to receive what He’s done for you (grace-based)! You can’t get this free gift through works because then you could boast that you earned it (Eph. 2:9). Christ died so you can experience God’s love and acceptance as a gift of grace.
Lies Young Women Believe ©2008 Nancy Leigh DeMoss © 2018 Revived Hearts Foundation
Scripture is taken from the CSB.
Make it Personal
Do you ever try to earn God’s favor by your actions? Memorize Ephesians 2:8–9 so you can remember His gift of grace.