The Favor of God

Is it possible to earn the Favor of God?

This seems to be the goal of a lot of people…but what if the answer to this question was so easy that it felt like it could not possibly be true?

In order to answer this question let’s start with the definition of Favor. favor- is defined as....to feel or show approval or preference for...

So the Favor of God can be defined as the approval or acceptance of God.

So what we are asking is how do we earn the approval or acceptance of God?

The Favor of God is to be Accepted not Earned.

Easy right? All you have to do is to take the first step or accepting that there is nothing you can do to earn the Favor of God. God is favoring you right now…not becuase you are doing everything right but because you are God’s creation.

I am not saying that God's favor is about being passive or complacent. It's about recognizing that God's love and grace are freely given, and that our actions should flow from a heart of gratitude and love for Him.

Our actions should not flow from the belief that they will result in God loving us. God's love and grace are freely given, and we cannot earn them through our own efforts.

I think we all know people struggle with accepting gifts of any kind, whether it's due to a sense of unworthiness, guilt, discomfort with being on the receiving end of generosity, or simply not being able to believe anyone would just give something with no expectation of something in return.

Even though we may not say it out loud there are many who have the same hang up with accepting the Grace of God. If we don’t earn it then it may be taken away.

This is what makes earning God’s favor almost more appealing than simply accepting it. If we earn it then it is almost like payment for services…But God is not transactional...

Paul is highlighting the truth that that the favor of God can only be accepted not earned.

Romans 4:1-5

“1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?

2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.

3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.

5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Many believed that Abraham followed the law perfectly, and that was why he was the father of nations and the forefather of the faith.

However if we look at the calling of Abraham in Genesis we see that God’s favor had nothing to do with Abraham and all to do with God.

Genesis 12:1-3

“1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.””

When we look at Abraham’s call in the passage the only thing that God says about Abraham other than God will bless him is that Abraham will bless others.

It dose not say that God will bless Abraham if he blesses others...It was not a transaction or an expectation.

The blessing was a one sided commitment from God to Abraham.

Romans 4:13–17

“13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,

Paul, reminds his audience (and Us) that the law didn't even exist when God called Abraham, and that Abraham's righteousness came from his faith in God, not from following the law perfectly.

This is important because in order to live in the Favor of God we must stop thinking that there is some way in which we can deserve it on our own.

15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”

Paul is desperately trying to get the readers of this passage to let go of the idea that a strict adherence to the law leads to righteousness.

If people reduce their spiritual growth to following rules or to living a moral code there will always be failure on the horizon.

There is nothing more dangerous to our spiritual life than believing we have to do or be anything other than a child of God.

Jesus comes on the scene to reinstitute God’s original law. LONG PAUSE The law of Love…He loved Adam and Eve, and Abraham and he Loves you and me before we even believe.

What if we would just embrace the original law of God when interacting with our world?…That law being the Law of Love…

God offered and Abraham accepted by faith not transaction.

The Spiritual practices and disciplines that we encourage during lent are not to be seen as transactional…Fasting and sacrifice is not required to earn the favor of God...

They are simply tools to help us connect more deeply with God....not to make God love us more.

Allow God to Delight in you by simply Delighting in God.

This is a much harder task than it sound like. I know becuase it is very hard for me. There are a lot of times that I spend time with God and it seems like nothing happens....

I was telling a mentor that when this happens I almost always see it as a waste of time....When he asked me why…my answer was I didn’t get anything out of it.

I wonder how many times we miss out on being with God becuase we had a specific reason to meet with God that was not met?

My mentor encourages me every time we talk to take time and just be with God…even if it seems like I am not getting anything out of it…Because even when I am not getting anything I am with God and God is with me.

There is a real peace when we are comfortable enough in or relationship with God that we can just enjoy being with Him.

Time of silence....We are going to take a moment today to just be…don’t beg for the presence of God just close your eyes and take a deep breath and accept the presence of the Holy Spirit in this moment.

Be welcoming of the presence of the Spirit now

Be Thankful for the presence of the Spirit.

Be Open to hear the voice of the Spirit.

Let the Spirit delight in you and let your Spirit delight in God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for delighting in us. As we come to the Table today let us come with an attitude of delighting in you.

Open Communion…Instructions

Communion…Doug leads in liturgy of Communion.