Diversified Hope
In the financial world, experts advised us to diversify our money into a variety of securities. In other words, don’t put all our eggs in one basket. Don’t put all our money in one stock or security. One stock might do poorly while another might do well. Since the outcome is uncertain, it is wise to diversify.
What about faith? Are we advised to diversify? Should we put our security in a variety of paths hoping that one of them is the right one or is enough?
Is our security in earning God’s approval?
What about earning God’s approval? Is that possible? Let’s see what Ephesians 2:8-9 says. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV
Earning sounds like a debt to be paid. Romans 4:4 says, Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. NKJV
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. NKJV
I don’t know about you, but I really dislike debt. And this debt can never be paid because we can never undo our sins. We are forever stained.
Is our security based on keeping commandments?
What about keeping the commandments? Is that an option? I know I haven’t kept all the ten commandments, have you? Maybe I don’t try hard enough.
James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. NAS
Galatians 3:10 says, For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” NIV
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,ESV
So that option does not sound good. It is not attainable. I can try all I want, but it will be of no value. If my approval from God is based on what I can do, I am lost. I am hopeless. Unable to meet the mark. I need help.
Diversify for my future and present security?
What is the only other option? Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”ESV
Paul tells me in Romans 4:5, But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.NKJV
And Jesus told a very religious man that he had to be born again. The man did not understand. He thought that he was to be physically born again. But he was wrong. See John 3 and Numbers 21:4-9.
John tells me in, John 1:11-13, He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ESV
Promised security
Now for a promise! A secure future. No hoping for a good result. John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
I like that! I won’t be judged. I have His eternal life in me right now. It is no longer head knowledge, but it is a reality.
What about you? Will you go to God admitting your need? Will you receive His life so you can be born again?
Prayer
O Holy God, I see that there is nothing we can do to gain Your approval. We need to be born again by admitting our need and receiving the very life of Christ in us. I see it is more than head knowledge. Our spirit is reborn and reconciled to You by our faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I step out in faith and place all my hope and trust in His life. I receive Jesus Christ into my spirit. Now I am Your child. Thank you so much. Amen.
