I’ve spent the better part of my life doing for the Lord versus being in love with Him. Recently, my eyes were opened to the madness of trying to work my way to Christ. Allow me to share a bit of my story.

In a world where so much of our identity is tied to what we do, it’s easy to assume that the road to salvation follows the same path. Many believe, “If I just do enough good things... if I am moral... if I obey all the rules... if I am nice to others... then I will earn my way to heaven.” But the message of the Gospel turns that idea upside down. Salvation is not something we achieve by our works; it is a FREE gift that comes through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

One Sunday morning in 1991, I heard a message that changed my life. In that moment of revelation, God removed the scales from my eyes, my mind, and my heart. I received the knowledge about who He is and surrendered my life to Him.

I have been walking with God for more than 30 years now, and the struggle I often hang on to is works. I often find myself back in my old mindset, thinking if I do [insert deed], then God will [insert blessing]. I couldn’t be more wrong. Refocusing my mind takes a minute (day, week, or longer), which then rerouts my brain and heart back to Him.

I’ve found that often, my struggle is the struggle of others. So, I hope my explanation of why BEing in love with Jesus is different than DOing things to earn His salvation or love. And I hope my words/insight will help you in your relationship with God and Jesus.

The Gift of Salvation: BEing Over DOing

At the heart of the Christian faith is the understanding that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes this abundantly clear:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is not a reward for human effort or accomplishment. It is an unearned gift. The Bible teaches that no amount of good deeds, moral living, or religious rituals can make us right with God. Instead, Jesus offers salvation to anyone who believes in Him and accepts His sacrifice on the cross as the atonement for sin.

To fall in love with Jesus is to recognize that we don’t need to strive for His approval—He already gave it to us in full on the cross. This brings freedom. Instead of chasing perfection or a checklist of good works, we can rest in the assurance that we are already loved and accepted by God.

The Blessing of Being in Love with Jesus

Being in love with Jesus means that our relationship with Him transforms every aspect of our lives. It’s not about performing tasks to gain His favor but about responding to His love with our whole hearts. When you’re in love with someone, you naturally want to please them—not because you’re obligated, but because you delight in them.

Jesus invites us into a loving relationship with Him. This relationship, rather than our efforts, is the foundation of our salvation. John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, declares:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This promise is rooted in God’s love for us, not our works. The moment we accept His love, believe in Him and surrender our lives to Jesus, we receive the gift of eternal life. Salvation is about being united with Christ—not doing enough to earn His approval.

The Trap of Trying to Earn Salvation

There’s a danger in believing that we can earn our salvation through good works. When we fall into this mindset, we reduce our faith to a system of transactions. We begin to believe that if we do enough good things, avoid certain sins, or follow a religious checklist, God will reward us with salvation.

However, this approach puts the focus on us and our actions rather than on Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Putting the focus on our actions of earning our way will lead to pride, self-righteousness, or discouragement when we inevitably fail to meet the impossible standard of perfection.

The Bible reminds us that no one can achieve salvation through their own efforts. Romans 3:23-24 says:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

No matter how much we do, we will always fall short of God’s standard. Our good deeds, while important, do not earn us salvation. Instead, they are the fruit of a life transformed by grace.

The Role of Good Works in the Life of a Believer

So, if we aren’t saved by our good works, does it mean they don’t matter? Not at all. Good works are the natural outflow of a heart transformed by the love of Jesus. When we experience His love and salvation, we are compelled to love and serve others. James 2:17 says:

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

This doesn’t mean we do good works to earn salvation. Instead, out of overflowing hearts, our good works are evidence of our faith in Jesus. They flow from a life surrendered to Him. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, our love for Him compels us to live out His teachings, not out of obligation but as a joyful response to His love.

Being Transformed by Love, Not Duty

When we love Jesus, our focus shifts from trying to earn salvation to being in an intimate relationship with Him. This relationship transforms our hearts, leading us to live in ways that reflect His love and grace.

Rather than striving to check off religious duties, our lives become an expression of the love we have received. The joy of knowing Jesus and experiencing His grace empowers us to live out the values of the kingdom—righteousness, humility, love, forgiveness, and service to others.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers a beautiful invitation:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus is inviting us to rest in Him, to trust in His love and grace. There is no heavy burden of works or performance to carry—just the invitation to be with Him, to be loved by Him, and to live out of the overflow of that love.

Rest in the Finished Work of Christ

The blessing of being in love with Jesus is that we don’t have to earn our salvation. His love, His grace, and His sacrifice on the cross are enough. We are saved by being in a relationship with Him, not by doing enough good works to merit His favor.

Once we accept this truth, we are free to live out our faith joyfully and authentically. Our good works become a reflection of the love we have for Christ, not a desperate attempt to gain His approval.

Rest in the truth that you are loved, you are saved, and you are free—not because of what you do, but because of what Jesus has done. In Him, salvation is a gift to be received, not a prize to be earned.

This message reminds us of the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel and the power of grace. When we fall in love with Jesus, we are transformed from the inside out, no longer striving but resting in the finished work of our Saviour and Lord.

If you find yourself longing for a relationship with Jesus, I offer you the following prayer.

Dear Lord, I ask that you come into my life and make me a child of God. I ask that you forgive me of my sins and fill me with your presence and peace. I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, as my Savior, Messiah, and Lord of my life. I accept His sacrifice for my life and I ask that you fill me with your peace and presence.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please let me know. I would love the opportunity to walk alongside you as you journey into a relationship with Jesus. Feel free to reach out via text or call Deb Long at 205-447-3476.