There can be no doubt that works-based religions are very popular – in fact, most of the faith systems throughout history and across the globe fall into this category. From ancient pagans who were convinced that burning up crops or livestock would guarantee that they would receive more blessings in return, to modern Muslims who believe they earn Allah’s blessings from observing the 5 pillars of Islam, religions that are based on performing rituals or doing acts of charity or mercy keep us firmly in the driver’s seat of our salvation. They allow us to hold on to our pride as we imagine that we can save ourselves if we do certain things or avoid doing others.

But here’s the problem: how do you ever know if you’ve done enough? What if an ancient pagan were to offer up a goat and his flock still got sick and died? Or what if she sacrificed the prescribed amount of grain but a drought came along anyway? Did he do the ritual wrong? Did she not offer the right amount at the right time? No, it’s no wonder that the ancient mythologies describe their false gods as capricious or uncaring.

And works-based religion continues to be a recipe for fear and uncertainty, not for assurance. After all, Mohammed himself said, “I know not what shall be done with me or with you.” So, it’s no wonder that Paul described those who tried to save themselves by following the Law of Moses as slaves – ultimately those who try to save themselves by their own good works will be slaves to their own fears.

But how different are those who rest in the gospel of salvation by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone! For we can be assured of God’s approval, not because of anything we have done or left undone, but simply because of the finished work of Christ on the cross. So instead of having to follow a certain code of conduct out of fear of making any little mistake, we are free to obey God’s law from the heart, expressing our joyful thanksgiving to Him for the salvation He has freely given to us.

Sure, receiving and resting in God’s grace means abandoning our pride, as we confess ourselves to be helpless, unworthy sinners and as we surrender ourselves completely to our Savior and King. But if clinging to control dooms us to live every day in fear of eternal damnation, who needs that kind of pride anyway?

Galatians 4:21-31 (ESV)

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.