What fear could never achieve I am who God says I am Part 3

He LOVES Me! Learning to live in the Father’s AFFECTION

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18

I. The Favor Line Is the invisible line that tells us whether or not we’ve met enough of someone’s expectations to merit their approval. Daily Favor Line examples

Here’s a little test to see if you too have adopted the “Favor Line” idea in your relationship with God: Do I doubt his love / presence when things are going badly?”

We have wrongly assumed that God has a “favor Line”. Organized religion often acts as if the “Favor Line” is there:

Shame Management System a. God is good. b. You are bad. c. Try harder.

“LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong…” Ps 15:1-3

10 Commandments, The Great Commission, The Great Commandment, The fruits of the Spirit

II. A Much Better Plan “Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.” Psalm 143:2

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2

III. Another example of God destroying the “Favor Line” Acts 9: We have done nothing to propel ourselves above God’s imaginary Favor Line.

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way…

whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” Acts 9:1-2 God doesn’t love me because of my performance – good or bad – He loves me!

2. Saul found that Jesus loved him even when Saul had no idea who Jesus was.

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked.” Acts 9:3-5

3. God shattered the “favor line” to free us from its tyranny “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless;

they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” V. 6-8