Seeing someone we love struggle unsuccessfully to change their behavior simply by trying to do something different is painful to watch. There’s a link between what we believe and what we do that’s more powerful than most people realize; if we don’t understand this connection, we can get hopelessly stuck in our self-efforts to improve, with no results. The key is learning to think differently. Letting God teach us right-thinking takes us from simply going through the motions to believing in His love for us.

The Law of Moses focused on doing; now that we’re under grace, the focus has shifted to believing. God wants good things for us but we won’t receive them unless we believe this. In the Old Testament, the people were commanded to perform according to a long list of rules, but they struggled because they didn’t have faith in God’s love. They rebelled against God and refused to accept what He was trying to give them because they thought He hated them.

We break the cycle of failure when we depart from the world’s way of thinking and allow God to transform us by the renewing of our minds. Only then will we learn His perfect will for us. This transformation is only possible by trusting in Jesus. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into the place of undeserved privilege where we now stand.

The change from doing to believing is illustrated in the responses to the question the rich young ruler asked Jesus before His death and resurrection, and the question the jailer asked Paul and Silas after Jesus’ resurrection. Before He went to the cross, Jesus recited a long list of law-based requirements for the young ruler do to be saved. After His death and resurrection, Paul and Silas simply told the jailer to believe to be saved. Our faith is a game-changer. Trusting in God’s love tears down barriers and moves mountains. This type of belief frees us from useless efforts and brings us supernatural results.

Prayer:

Lord, under the law, the people had to work hard to follow the rules; Your Son’s death and resurrection changed all that. We’re grateful that all we need to do now to please You is to believe in Jesus and His finished works. Your Holy Spirit will lead us the rest of the way. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 1:25-27

Romans 12:2

Romans 5:2, NLT

Matthew 19:16-19

Acts 16:30, 31