Through this sermon, my pastor told a very interesting story. The story was about baking cake mix. A company originally set out this cake mix where the people just had to add water. They didn’t have to add anything else. They just needed to add water and then bake it. It was going to be so easy and time-efficient. Companies thought for sure this would sell like hot cakes. They thought this would be perfect for the people who are busy, but yet those who want to bake.
However, it bombed. It most likely bombed because people did actually want to feel they put some work into the cake. Hence why we now have cake mixes where a person needs to add egg, oil, and water. We essentially baked the whole batter, in a way. (Not really, but we like to think we did). This is obviously a very popular item still to this day. I don’t bake a lot of cakes, but I will bake brownies from time to time, and these brownie mixes are very similar to the cake mixes. Usually I buy the ones that include eggs, oil, and water. These are the most popular and they are because the bakers get to be involved, but yet they aren’t working overly hard and having to buy too many different ingredients.
This is how we like to act with God. We like to believe we need to do some of the work in order to be a real Christian. We as Christians add to our lists of things we need to do in order to follow God. This could be anywhere from needing to memorize 10 verses from the Bible or pray every night before bed and supper, read at least one chapter out of the Bible a day, or volunteer in church for so many events. We can start to add so many things to our plate, that while healthy for spiritual growth, are not the actions that are going to save us in the long run. It is not the actions in general that are going to save us.
Then sometimes we can start to be too prideful of our actions. We can start to compare ourselves to others, and how well they follow the word, or how much they volunteer, or how much they pray. We can start to feel better about ourselves if we do more than others, and then we start to feel like a failure or can be filled with shame if we feel as though someone is doing more or is a better person than we are. It can be hard to keep comparing and competing with others and with ourselves.
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains this perfectly, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-not by works, so no one can boast.” The salvation and the righteousness we have been given is through God. We haven’t done anything to earn our spot in heaven. We haven’t done anything to gain our way to heaven for eternity. We have the ability with God’s grace to complete good works for Christ, but this is not because of our own ability.
My challenge for you this week is to pray the prayer with me written below. You don’t have to pray the same words I am saying. There are different words or thoughts you may have in your heart you want to offer up as words to God. Then the second challenge is for you to enjoy some baked goods using cake or box mixes. They are fun and easy to make, and it is a great way to share some love with coworkers, friends, family members, or neighbors.
Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for your great love of us. Thank you for the gift of salvation you have bestowed upon each and every one of us. Thank you for allowing us to be your children and for welcoming us into heaven for eternity. Thank you for the Holy Spirit and the ability to easily work for your good through the Holy Spirit.
Please help me to not focus so much on my good works. I know I can have a tendency to focus on what I need to do and get done in a day, and sometimes I can have a belief that these works or this time with you is what will get me into heaven, when in reality, I need to focus on the faith and the salvation you are bestowing upon me. Please help me to not feel as though I am only saved through my service or through my worship or through my good works, but help me to put complete faith in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Colossians 3:23 Blog 