Too Much Baggage for the Journey – Earning Favor

Greetings Dear Reader,

A dear friend who has hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) told me about how she would pick up and drop off items as needed along the way.  The AT refines what you need to carry and what is unnecessary. 

It is a living example of the journey.  So many people think that they have to earn God’s favor.  They believe that he wishes us to tip some kind of cosmic balance in our favor by doing certain tasks or adopting a lifestyle.  Like a system of weights and measures we categorize good and evil by degrees.

We keep moving from faith to deeds to add baggage to the Gospel.  We consistently increase or vary the good deeds that must be done to earn the favor of our deity.  Like a common TV ad says; that is not how it works.  Not only do we not need to earn God’s favor; we cannot.

Should we do good to exhibit our faith?  Should we do what is good out of love for the Father?  A resounding yes is the answer to all of this.  What we must not do is put further burden on the Gospel.  There is no way for us to earn God’s favor.  Rather, he gives it to us freely when we follow in faith.

God loves us unconditionally.  He wishes for us to see that he gives us this without hesitation or condition.  He asks us to follow in faith.  He asks that we love him in return.  We cannot demand that others earn his favor.  It is asking the impossible. 

As I consider my journey I must not take on tasks that hinder my progress by overburdening me.  I must do everything out of love.  That is the only baggage required of me.  At times it is burden enough.  Most of the time, however, it is a joy to carry.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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