Can believers earn blessings, favor, or standing with God?
Most Christians understand from the Bible that a person cannot earn salvation by works (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that trying to be good by one’s self can never impress God (Isaiah 64:6). Where this seems to stop for many believers is after salvation. For them saved by grace (unmerited favor) turns into living by works. In reality, the Christian life is all about grace from beginning to end. Every good thing comes solely from God and every good thing we do is because God enables us. Every blessing God gives is solely because He is the one who blesses, not because we deserve it, or can earn it, or demand it. A dangerous philosophy in many churches, and with many believers, is the belief that God’s blessing is proof that they are doing something right. They would define God’s blessing in terms of increased numbers, financial well-being or other material successes. I will offer you this… Blessing is never proof of God being impressed with something you’ve done; it’s merely proof that God is
