no fine print or annual fee

"Trying to work your way to heaven is like trying to swim to Hawaii,  you might make it 10 yards, but everybody drowns." Eric Metaxas
  
     Some lies are more subtle than others. So well dressed up in fear and doubt and works. God, in his goodness and love, has been revealing lies I didn't even know  I was buying, but I was. I "knew" that my salvation and His love for and approval of me were only based on the sacrifice of Jesus. My prayers have revealed otherwise. I would pray and immediately the fine print would show up,"well, He's powerful and all, but He can only really work when I've got my life totally lined up. He can use me when I'm clean. He can use me when I've got enough distance from my sinful messes. He can use me when I've had total victory and am disciplined..." Yes, I have believed that lie that His death has not made me sufficiently clean. That my sinful, messy life can override any power He may have to work.(because I'm that powerful, apparently) That I have to be weary from trying not to lose His approval. Basically that He is not God, my creator, my savior, my guide. That Jesus lied when he said "it is finished". How arrogant of me. And how exhausting.

               1 Peter 1:18-19 "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed out of the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
Um, doesn't sound like there's any room for my glorious works in there, right Peter.

               "Our salvation is NOT Christ's payment plus an annual payment by us to keep it activated." Kari Way. 
There is no fine print.

       I believe His promises. I believe He will save those I love. I believe He will be faithful to complete the good work He has started in me.  

Romans 8:35  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
       There is so much more power in stopping our flailing about and letting Him carry us to that shore, so much more love for our God and those He's placed around us. Our hope is full. Resting in His promises is better than foolishly trying to make them happen ourselves. How can we reflect His glory when we're trying to shine our own?
I'm done drowning.