As a pastor’s kid, I was taught salvation was a free gift through the death of Christ on the Cross. I did nothing to earn it, nor did I have to do anything to keep it. As the first-born child, I had the responsibility of watching out for my younger siblings when my parents were away: helping them with chores, keeping them safe, and setting an example of good behavior.
Growing up, I subconsciously applied the latter to the former. This, for a long time, permeated how I viewed my place in the world. For better or worse, I assumed the position of ‘I can do it myself’ or ‘Let me handle it’, combined with a twinge of ‘I need to be good and right’. To be Christ-like is a goal, for sure, but being good and right as some sort of condition or measuring stick is a definite no-no. How ironic, in my effort to be good and right, I have failed to be ‘good and right’.
Over the years, and as I have matured in my faith, I see how deeply flawed that sophomoric mindset really is. The human expectations to be in charge, watch over, set a good example, etc. were attainable because they were human expectations. The God-expectation to be holy, however, was never attainable. The depths of how powerless I am to fulfill this holy requirement cannot be overstated. Even in the sincerest desire of my heart, I cannot achieve true holiness. God’s plan, to be honest, was never meant to be carried out by me. He intended all along to send Jesus, to send the Holy Spirit. Allowing this reality to settle into my daily practices and thought patterns frees my energy to fulfill His true intention for us all, which is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love others as ourselves.
For reflection:
- How would you say that Jesus’ perfectly paying the penalty for our sin frees us up to more fully love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength? How does it help us to love others as ourselves?
by Jennifer Dreger
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