How to Overcome a Works-Based Mentality with God’s Grace?
I find myself slipping into a works-based mentality or focusing on what I’m doing or not doing instead of focusing on God and his goodness. Feeling like if I don’t read or do the things that I should be doing (to basically “force” fruit of the spirit) that God is going to reject me or be disappointed in me and it makes me question if I’m really believing God’s word.
First of all, God bless you, brother. I’m glad you’re talking about this. And matter of fact, Jake, I want you to know that I’m not worried about you at all. You know why? Because you recognize what’s going on. The people in your situation who are in a lot of trouble are the ones who are blind to what’s going on with them, trusting in their own works or having a works-based mentality. The fact that you see this, are aware of it, and it bothers you, is reason for a great deal of encouragement. You’re going to make it. You’re going to be okay. Jesus Christ is holding onto you, and by His Spirit, He is instructing you. He is helping you to know what’s going on.
Here’s what’s going on. You’re reverting to what I call the default position of the human heart. The default position of the human heart is works-based, law-based, and not grace-based. The default position of the human heart is to want to earn our way before God somehow. We will naturally drift back into a works-based or law or legal mentality, unless we constantly, diligently give ourselves to the pursuit of God’s grace. That’s just what we need to do. That’s what you need to do. That’s what I need to do. That’s what we all need to do.
Don’t be discouraged that you see and sense that the default position of your heart is works-oriented or law-oriented. That’s normal. What you need to do is just continually encourage yourself with the grace of God, continually look to Jesus and away from self. When you catch yourself doing what you described, just say, “No, stop. I’m not going to look to self. I’m going to look to Jesus. I’m just going to humble myself before Him and receive what He so graciously gives.” Do that and do your best to relax.
But I want you to be genuinely encouraged by the fact that you see this. God’s Spirit is giving you recognition of this, and so you can breathe a little easier and know that He is working in you and through you.