How many of you can remember the Kmart layaway program? Christmas presents, school clothes, a new dress for a special occasion, all could be set aside and paid for over time. We would go in each week and pay a small amount on our outstanding balance. Then the glorious day would come when we had paid the full price and we could take home our treasurers, so proud of what we had worked for and paid off. Sound familiar?

I am reading the book, When Strivings Cease, by Ruth Chou Simons. I had the opportunity to hear Ruth speak at the TGCW2024 conference and her message really resonated with me. I feel like I have been fighting to prove my self-worth, my entire life. I wasn’t one of the cool kids at school. I didn’t’ fit in; I was socially awkward. Even today, as I am closer to 60 years old than I care to admit, I still feel like I’m on the outside, trying to work myself into the group of cool kids. As I learn and grow in my knowledge of God, I have realized that I am still trying to earn my salvation and prove my worth to my savior, Jesus Christ.

“And herein lies the whole reason why we must cease striving through good works; they do not save. If there is a gospel of self-improvement, it is a damning one. It is a gospel that is not good news at all.”
When Strivings Cease, Ruth Chou Simons

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

Paul didn’t write to the Ephesians and say, “Now that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, work hard, and once you have paid your debt in full—you will be able to take possession of His love, and you will be forgiven.” NO! Christ’s grace doesn’t come with a payment book!

 The Pharisees didn’t understand this message either. They tried so hard to earn their way, creating hundreds of additional rules, adding to God’s law…just in case. Ruth points this out so succinctly,

“Jesus offered deliverance through dependence on him. The Pharisees taught deliverance through dependence on perfection and performance. Friend, performance over presence, God’s presence, always leaves us fearfully reliant on our perfect execution, rather than Christ’s perfect deliverance.”
When Striving Cease, Ruth Chou Simons

Science tells us that we must hear something up to 7 times before we will believe it. How many times have I heard this same truth? I cannot earn Christ’s grace!

The holiness of God found us lacking.
The mercy of God sent Jesus to bear the punishment we deserved.
The righteousness of God declared us forgiven.
The goodness of God reshapes us into His likeness.
The love of God overcomes evil so that we might share in all that is Christ’s.
When Strivings Cease, Ruth Chou Simons

No mention of works, no mention of a payment plan. God, the holy triune God, works this out, through His power, through His sacrifice, for His glory.

Friend, please take these words to heart and stop running to pay on your outstanding balance. God paid your debt in full. His only requirement, that we let go of the death grip of control that we hold on our lives, and submit ALL to Him. Stop trying to work your way into His love. Open your hands and hearts, and receive the blessing of His presence. After all, He is the greatest treasure.

“It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.”― Timothy Keller