Are You Living to Please God or to Earn Him?

Praise the lord, my friend.

Sometimes in our faith journey, we fall into the trap of trying to earn God’s approval.

We pray more, serve more, and follow every rule, thinking that God or others will notice.

At first, it might feel meaningful, but over time, it becomes heavy and exhausting.

We may even begin to measure our worth by what we do, forgetting the most important part of our faith journey, and that is building a personal relationship with Jesus.

My friend, it’s easy to think that if we follow all the rules perfectly, God will be pleased with us.

But the Bible reminds us that our actions can never make us right with God.

Romans 3:20

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

The above verse tells us that the law shows us our shortcomings and makes us aware of our sin, rather than declaring us righteous.

When we understand this, we realize that God’s love does not depend on complying with the laws, our effort, and that faith, not works, brings us into a true relationship with Him.

Also, God’s favor is not something we earn, my friend, but it is a gift we receive from Him when we trust Him fully.

Ephesians 2: 8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”

This portion of Ephesians also tells us clearly that salvation comes through faith alone, not through works.

When we accept this, we no longer carry the heavy weight of proving ourselves.

As a result, serving others, praying, and reading the Bible stop feeling like chores and instead become natural expressions of a heart that loves God.

And that is how it should be, my friend, as faith is meant to flow from love, not obligation.

When our hearts are focused on God rather than on our own efforts, everything changes.

We begin to serve out of love, pray with sincerity, and read God’s Word with a desire to know Him more, not to check off a list.

Jesus has taught us this in Matthew 22:

Matthew 22: 37-38

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

When love drives our faith, our actions naturally follow.

We stop striving to earn approval and truly start living in faith and the joy of His presence.

And, by living in faith, we no longer measure our worth by what we do, but by who we are in Christ.

Our relationship with Jesus becomes the source of joy, peace, and strength in every part of life.

Every prayer, act of service, and moment in His Word flows from a heart full of love, and not from obligation.

My friend, please take a moment to rest in this truth today that your value is found in Christ, not in your performance.

And let this freedom shape how you live, serve, and pray, knowing that He delights in you just as you are.

A prayer for you, my friend:

Lord Jesus, I lift up my friend reading this to You today. Strengthen their faith and help them to trust You more deeply with every part of their life.

Teach them to stop striving to earn Your approval and to rest fully in Your love and grace.

May their heart flow with love for You, not with obligation, and may every prayer, act of service, and time spent in Your Word bring joy, peace, and strength.

Lord, guide their steps and give them wisdom in every decision. When they feel weary, remind them that Your grace is enough.

When they doubt, fill them with confidence in Your promises. Help them to find their worth not in what they do, but in who they are in Christ.

Surround them with Your presence, comfort them in struggles, and open their eyes to the beauty of a life lived in faithful surrender to You.

Thank You, Jesus, for loving them perfectly, for walking with them through every challenge, and for drawing them closer to You each day.

May their heart be full of Your peace, their mind filled with Your truth, and their life overflowing with Your joy.

In Jesus’ mighty and precious name I pray, Amen.

Praise God, my friend.

If you’ve any prayer requests, please feel free to let me know by replying to this email. God bless you.