Grace vs. Self Effort

This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity).” If you have been following this series for any length of time you should know by now that God made plans for you before the world began, His plans are good plans, and He wants to use you to make a difference in the earth. God’s plans contain your life’s purpose and true success can only be found in the accomplishment of that purpose. But the million dollar question is: how does God expect you to accomplish His plans? Does God expect you to pursue success by your power (self effort) or by His grace. The quick answer is, by God’s grace. But what does that mean? That is what we will discuss today.

So what does this mean to you today? Let’s get into it.

1. Not relying on self effort does not mean you do nothing and you simply sit around waiting on God to do everything. You can work hard, by God’s grace, and enjoy every step of the way.

a) Not relying on self effort does not mean that you don’t work, it just means that you trust God to work through you.

b) Not relying on self effort does not mean that don’t do anything, it just means that you do all you do with the consciousness that God is with you and that He will empower you to do whatever He needs you to do.

c) Don’t mistake the message of God’s grace as a license to be lazy. God never did great things in the Bible through lazy people. God will give you the grace to work hard in order to accomplish all He has called you to do, but when you perform hard work by God’s grace, you will not get overwhelmed, overtaxed, overloaded or stressed out.

d) When you pursue your divine purpose you will need things God has already set up for you to have, and those things will freely come to you by grace so you can experience success that is sweatless, tireless and enjoyable. You can work hard and not be tired, frustrated or stressed. You can say like Paul, “For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace” (1 Cor 15:10).

2. Never take credit for what God did for you or through you.

a) Moses said, “Don’t ever say to yourself, ‘I got all this wealth by my own power and ability.’ Remember the Lord your God is the one who gives you power to do these things.” (Deut 8:17,18). The Lord will give you the grace to generate all the wealth required to complete your life’s assignment, and God wants you to have everything you need, but just don’t forget to acknowledge Him!

b) Paul said, “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me (his grace)” (1 Cor 15:10). You are who you are by the grace of God. Never forget it!

c) Since God is opposed to the proud, He calls on the humble to accomplish His purposes (1 Pet. 5:5-6). Humble children of God give Him the glory instead of taking the credit for themselves.

3. Grace vs. Self Effort is a matter of whom you are relying on for your success.

a) Some Christians take on too much stress because they rely on themselves for things God freely wants to do through them.

b) Your power is too limited and your vision is too small to accomplish what God wants to do through your life. If you come up with it, it will be too small for God. But since God came up with it (before the world began), it will be too big for you. That is why you must accept and embrace His grace.

c) Solomon said, “Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” (Prov 16:3).

d) Paul said, “I don’t mean that we are able to do anything good ourselves. It is God who makes us able to do all that we do.” (2 Cor 3:5).

Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You have taught me the value of hard work and the difference between working hard on my own and working hard by Your grace. I know what it is to work hard without Your grace. I have worked hard and I have pursued things with my own blood, sweat and tears. I know what it is like to have to earn everything by the sweat of my brow. There was a point in my life when I totally relied on my strength. But those days are over! I thank You for teaching me about Your grace. I now know that living by human effort alone, trusting completely in the arm of the flesh, earning everything by the sweat of my brow, is part of the curse and not The Blessing. Jesus redeemed me from the curse. Jesus established a New Covenant that is based on Your grace. I am Born-Again, filled with Your Spirit, covered by the Blood of Your Son, and I am a citizen of heaven. I live in this world, but I am not of this world. I am in covenant with You and this covenant gives me access to Your grace. I walk with You and You walk with me. You give me the words to say and You empower me to do whatever work I am required to do. You bless me to work and You bless the work of my hands. I now work by grace, not human effort, and I experience the difference. By Your grace I am able to get more done in a shorter time, to work long hours when I need to, but without getting stressed out, frustrated or overtaxed. Thank you Father for helping me to enjoy grace based success — success Your way, that comes without the stress, struggle or strain of this world. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.