If you woke up this morning and learned that it is not God’s will any should perish, would you not feel elated inside? Jubilated, hopeful, surprised may be a better description of your internal emotions. But one may also feel reasonably hesitant. What would God require of you in order to not deserve death? Will the works pile up like your laundry in the living room? And God…who is this God that does not desire to see anyone apart from Him?

The God of the Bible has always existed. He has no beginning or end. He created the universe and you, the little speck on earth. You, however, were made with a soul and value unspeakable, in the eyes of God. Just being made in His image gives you meaning. God desires that each of His human creations would live in eternity with Him. In fact, 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

This is joyous; God wants you! But what does He ask of you? Romans 10:9 tells us, “…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” You heard that right! Confess and believe in your heart in the God of the Bible. Works do not save you; Jesus saves you. His death on the cross is the payment for all your sins, past, present, and future. Being with God is that simple!

In Oxford Languages, the definition of repentance is, “the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.” We see in 2 Peter 3:9 that God wants all to repent. Once we believe in our heart that He is Lord (notice the word heart, not mind), our heart will be remorseful for our wrongs that Jesus paid for with His own death. That regret and new heart will motivate change if our belief in Jesus is sincere. 

Let us rewind that old VHS tape and replay the attitude and/or response we had when our parents asked us to do laundry—likely grumbling or maybe even out right defiance in saying, “No.” Most individuals would look back on that scene with shame or embarrassment, from a poor attitude or response. The hope is the regret would spur on change in character. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

When we have a new heart in Jesus and our heart desires to do right, and thus change happens. We see growth and character development. We begin to respond to people and situations with grace, as grace was shown to us. John says it well, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, ESV). Love will bring out those fruits of the Spirit that we see in the day-to-day change. It is not work, rather love and fruit that grow out of a new heart. 

Humans will be daily reminded that though they have a new heart, they are natural sinners: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, ESV). So, while character develops, there will be moments when poor decisions (or poor attitudes) are made. Christians will sadly misrepresent Christ at times. Believers must continuously tend to their fruit, and remain in the Word of God, growing and pruning. A farmer who leaves his fruit trees uncared for will have no fruit; eventually his fruit tree will die. A marriage lacking effort and investment will fail abysmally. A child who does not go to school to learn will be weak in knowledge and understanding, may develop poor habits, and will be limited in his/her growth, likely struggling his/her entire life. 

There is no list of works to check off to know God. But the effort is seen in developing a relationship with Christ, choosing to make good choices, tending to your new heart and righting wrongs when needed. The farmer’s passion for his trees will spur on care, the husband’s love for his wife will spur on nurturing of their relationship, a child’s desire to learn will push him or her to put effort into school, a Christ follower’s love for Christ will spur on the fruits of the Spirit and growth in the Savior.

The good news is that God desires a relationship with you. He does not want any to perish. And His son, Jesus, already paid the price for your sins by dying on the cross. No works are required, rather grace is extended. Should you choose to follow Jesus, He will give you a new heart and that will spur on new life in Him. He replaces the old with new, the bad with good and gives grace rather than requiring works. This is a reason to celebrate!

Download December 2023 on Sola Gratia: The Essence of God's Unmerited Favor

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