How is it that only by faith in the Lord Jesus that we are saved and not by any good works that we do? The answer is that Jesus died for our sins on the cross on behalf of us. We become one with Him on the cross because of our faith in Him. When He died on the cross, we also died with Him because we became united with Him. Our good works can never be enough to satisfy God. We can be good people who do good things in this world, but if we do not have faith in the Lord Jesus, God will never accept us. In the same manner, our faith in Jesus and our good work will not save us. Only by faith alone in the Lord Jesus that we can be saved.
A person can give his money to the poor, go to church every Sunday, and never lie or cheat to anyone but have no genuine faith in the Lord Jesus, he/she is still not accepted by God. Jesus says this in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'"
Our good works are not enough to please God because God wants us to put our faith in Him first. Once we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will come into our lives to change our hearts to do God's will. The good works that are acceptable to Him are our obedience to His will. We cannot know the will of God if we do not have faith in Him first. God accepts any sinners if he believes in the Lord Jesus and not relying on his/her good works.
Ask yourself these questions: What must I do first for God to accept me? Are my good works enough to please God? What does the Spirit of God do the moment I genuinely believe in Jesus?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for saving me through my faith in the Lord Jesus alone, and not through my good works. Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you are changing my heart and helping me do God's will in my life. Please help me now with (mention your prayer requests). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.