Faith over work.
When it comes to our relationship with God, there’s a big difference between living by faith and living by works. Living by faith is about trusting in God, not trying to prove ourselves through good deeds. It’s about the attitude behind our actions and how we feel about them.
Living by Faith: Trust Over Trying
Living by faith is about trusting God with everything. It’s not about earning your way into Heaven or being perfect—it’s about relying on His promises, love, and grace. When we live by faith, we understand that Jesus already did the hard work, and we don’t have to prove ourselves. We just have to trust Him.
If you’re living by faith, you probably:
Trust in Jesus as Savior: You believe that salvation is a gift you can’t earn.
Spend time with God: You connect with God because you want to, not out of obligation.
Do good out of love: When you help others, it’s out of God’s love, not for recognition or self-satisfaction.
Trust God during tough times: In hard times, you lean on God instead of trying to control everything yourself.
Feel peace: Knowing that God is in control brings you peace, even in the messiness of life.
Living by Works: The Pressure of Proving Yourself
Living by works is when we think we have to earn God’s approval by what we do. It’s about striving to be good enough through religious activities, helping others, or following rules. This mindset can leave us feeling exhausted and like we’re never doing enough.
If you’re living by works, you might:
Try to earn God’s favor: You may feel like you have to prove you’re worthy of God’s love.
Judge others: You might look down on those who don’t measure up to your standards.
Struggle with pride or insecurity: You might feel superior when you succeed or like a failure when you fall short.
Compete with others: You may find yourself comparing your actions to others, trying to measure up.
Feel stuck: You may struggle to break free from sin or addiction, trying to fix things on your own.
Handle problems alone: You may try to solve challenges by yourself rather than seeking God’s help.
Feel like you’re never enough: You may constantly feel that no matter how much you do, it’s never enough.
The Freedom of Living by Faith
Living by faith is about resting in what Christ has already done for us. It’s not about striving to be good enough but trusting that Jesus is enough. Faith is about surrendering and knowing that God’s love and grace are all we really need.
In practical terms, living by faith means choosing a relationship with God over religious duty, reminding yourself of His promises, and letting the Holy Spirit guide you. It’s about trusting in what has already been done for us, rather than trying to do more.
In the end, good works are a response to God’s love, not a way to earn it. Living by faith brings peace, joy, and purpose because we know God is in control and that we’re loved just as we are.