You Cannot Do Enough To Please God

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10

I heard a great sermon this morning about faith and works. It was focused on Cain, Abel and Seth, but as I listened, I realized it was really about Adam. 

"Cursed is the ground because of you; With hard labor you shall eat from it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; Yet you shall eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:17-19

The misconception that works pleases God started with Adam. God was not saying that works would or could make Him happy. Work, dependence on yourself to provide, is a consequence of sin. Ephesians is saying the same thing. Working hard - even doing good things for others - will never be enough to please God. The story of the rich young ruler is the same. He thought that doing the right things was enough to get him into heaven. He had a heart problem - Adam had a heart problem - Cain had a heart problem, all of us have or have had a heart problem.

Work as the consequence of Adam's sin is not ever going to be enough. As Christians you and I are His workmanship in Christ Jesus.  It is Jesus' sacrifice that is the way to God.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6

Oh - you know that? Then why do you persist in trying to work your way into God's favor? Because it is in our old nature. People can wrap works in religion and piety, but it is still an unacceptable sacrifice - just like Cain's offering. The fruit of his labor probably looked good on the surface but it fell woefully short. 

"For this is my [Jesus] blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28

Without the shedding of blood - a sacrifice - there is not remission of sins. That is why Abel's offering was acceptable and Cain's was not. That is why it is by faith in Jesus, who shed His blood once for all, as the perfect and eternal sacrifice, is the only way for you and me to be acceptable to God, the Father. 

Hertz car rental used to have a slogan, "We try harder". That is just not good enough to please God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone