Self-Effort vs. Redeemed Effort: The Best Part (Part 2)

Under the covenant of grace, we no longer need to depend on our own efforts to earn God’s approval like the people had to do under the law. Because of our belief in Jesus and in His finished works, God has already approved of us and declared us righteous. All that remains for us to do now is to respond to what has already been done. As believers, this response is in partnership with the Holy Spirit, who helps us want to please God. The new covenant calls for the effort to stay rooted in grace when everything around us tries to pull us back into performance. Living under grace doesn’t mean the absence of labor, but laboring to remain at rest when the devil tries to distract us with the world’s doubts, fears, and anxieties.