For grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Yesterday I commented that an idea I have held onto most of my life was a “whole other can of worms” – the idea that my usefulness to God was tied to my performance.

Just as I am sure that I am not the only one who struggles with yesterday’s topic of “deservedness”, I have a feeling that I am not the only one who struggles with “usefulness” either.

So let’s launch into some further confessions of a recovering perfectionist this week and walk a healing road together.

Confession: Sometimes I tie my salvation to my usefulness.

Oh friend, I know it’s not true, but sometimes the thought crosses my mind or gouges my heart that I have not done enough for Christ to save me or for God to let me into Heaven. When I allow that thought to take hold, I enter a season of struggling and striving and over-reaching until I mentally and emotionally exhaust myself to the point that I am no longer functioning effectively as a human being, let alone as a Child of God.

Blessedly, God has never once forsaken me in this state. He has always been faithful to confront me with His truth. If you struggle in this area or know someone who does, let me share that truth with you.

God’s Truth: Usefulness has never been and will never be a factor in our salvation.

Dear heart, God’s Word is crystal clear: It is by His grace that we are saved and not through our own works.

Praise God for His clarity because that’s a truth I need every. single. day.

The enemy would have us wear ourselves out struggling and striving for our salvation, but beloved one of God, if you take nothing else from anything I ever write, take this:

There is only one thing you must do to gain salvation: Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

That’s absolutely it. No works. No striving. No struggling. Believe in your heart. Confess with your mouth. Be saved. Salvation is a gift from God, given to us in grace while we were yet sinners, accepted through our faith in Jesus Christ. God loves us that much; He made it that simple.

Heavenly Father, Your loving grace toward humanity is beyond our comprehension. Forgive us Father when we struggle and strive for something You have freely given. Protect us Lord from the enemy’s lies that our salvation is tied to our usefulness. Help us to walk confidently in the knowledge that You are the Author of salvation and that You offer it to us freely, that all we must do is believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for our sins and that You rose Him up again to complete Your perfect plan for our redemption. All honor and glory and power are Yours, Lord. May our daily thoughts, words, and actions show our love for You. May we uphold the faith and help free others from the bondage of the lies of “usefulness”. In Jesus’ name, amen (let it be so now).