One of the most significant distinctions in the Christian faith is the “do versus done,” concept. To me, it’s also one of the most love-saturated truths.
Yesterday, the boys and I came home to find our carbon monoxide alarms going off in the house. Awesome. The noise and uncertainty of the situation he was facing caused one of my kids to start to go into a panic. “Mommy! Mommy!” He grabbed my leg in fear and his eyes started to brim with tears as he desperately searched my face for what to do. “It’s OK sweetie, Mommy is here and I’ve got this.” He instantly calmed down, held the hand I offered him and we hustled back into the car where I strapped everyone in, grabbed the dog and got lunch while my super hero husband managed the issue. Batteries. Sheesh.
I think the reality is that at some point in our lives, something startles us into honestly considering what comes next. When the alarms of uncertainty around eternity leave us looking for an anchor, eyes wide open, with our hearts screaming “God! God! What should I do? What must be done?” He offers his hand, takes us into the refuge of his authority and says, “Trust me. It’s OK, I’ve got this.” And he does. He managed it a long time ago by giving us Jesus. Now, when we enter into relationship with him by accepting his son who took our place and did all that needs to be done; we do… nothing. Nothing but acknowledge it. Nothing but take hold of his hand and let him lead.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, sot hat no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
I don’t know the specifics of your story, but if you are anything like me, there are days when it seems like everyone around you needs you to do something. And the world requires a lot of doing in order to “make it.” It is an insane relief to grasp hold of the fact that in regards to the most significant detail of your life — the eternity you embrace — there is no doing. No being a better person, giving more money, staying physically fit, learning more scripture, getting your “issues” in order, etc. In fact, it would be rather insulting to infer that Jesus wasn’t enough, that there must be something more that we must do for God to accept us as his child.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” — Galatians 2:19-21
No other world religion offers this luxury. None. In Christianity, it is not about what you are doing, but how you are transforming – and this happens when you allow God to do the molding. Before you make the decision to accept this truth you are someone who is loved by God. I love the example of him being the potter and we are the clay. The clay has basically nothing to do with becoming a masterpiece.
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand.” — Isaiah 64:8
After you make the decision to make him Lord you become not just loved by God, but a child of God. You are in his family, and heir to all that is his. He has done all the hard lifting. This does not contradict the fact that we must thereafter be “working out our salvation;” (Philippians 2:12) because like anything, developing a relationship takes intentionality, but the truth is that the fact we even have this opportunity is because God made it possible — by his grace, not by our qualifications. Be relieved. And if you never have, talk to God about it even now. In this moment.