‘Our minds cannot find calm repose until we arrive at the unmerited love of God.’ - John Calvin
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17).
Isn’t this the question we all ask? What must I do?
It almost drips with desperation. I have kept all of the commandments from my youth (Mark 10:20). What else is there to do for salvation for the one who possesses the commandments, and great possessions (Mark 10:22)?
What must I do for peace of mind and peace with God?
What must I do?
If I do all of the right things maybe then I can inherit, possess, own eternal life. But deep down, we all know that we are enemies of God, it is our own doing that put us here, and therefore no amount of our own doing can change our eternal reality. Rather we are invited, by faith, to rest in the gift of grace (Rom 3:24-26). We don’t do our way to salvation, we rest in the unmerited love of God:
‘…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ Ephesians 3:17-19
Lord, may we cease our striving, cease our doing, and rest in the work You have done on our behalf. It is full, finished, and complete. Forgive my heart which would like to add to that work, to take hold and possess that work as if I have done anything to merit it. Allow me to arrive at your unmerited love, oh God. Amen.
Resting,
AB