Watch the video by Steve McVey, Christian Religion Lie #71 “How You Behave Affects How God Feels About You” and my comments follow…
This is a lie that affects every one of us at some point in time.
Because it is centered in our emotions… and our perception and paradigm of God is often based on what we experience in life, not in WHO God really is, or what His word really says about Him.
This LIE is based on every day life…
You see, in our every day life, we are all dealing with other humans, other finite beings — other people who (99.9999% of the time) all relate to us on a CONDITIONAL level…
Which means if we behave good — these people like us more…
If we behave bad–these people like us less…
So this conditioned behavior we learn with other people flows over into the relationship we have with God.
Our relationship to God is not like our relationship to other people
Which is very unfortunate because God doesn’t relate to us like other humans. Because He is all powerful, all knowing, and unconditionally loving.
Don’t believe it?
Consider this: God knew you since before time began… before you were created… knew everything you would ever do… and still created you with one purpose in mind. To LOVE you.
Furthermore, Romans 5:8 says God saved us while we were yet sinners.
Knowing this that God STILL created you to be loved. And also gave the life of His son one the cross for you while you were still a sinner…
“Renew your mind” with these truths…
When you really understand that God chose you FULL WELL while knowing every little thing that you would do in your life… all the things you see as “shortcomings”… “mistakes”… and “imperfections”… and still 1. not only created you to love you but 2. gave the life of His son for you… then it makes you understand that God loves and adores you no matter what you do… or… no matter what you don’t do.
In truth, there’s absolutely nothing that can separate you from the Love of God. You behavior will NEVER determine how God feels about you. God is so powerful, so in control, so uni-lateral in all His purposes that He CHOOSES to love you, adore you, give you grace, pour out mercy and goodness on you NO MATTER WHAT. You behavior isn’t even a part of the equation to God. He just IS. So don’t believe this lie anymore — it’s simply not true.
With Love 
Caleb
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Jessica 08.07.08 at 10:44 pm
You said that God “knew everything you would ever do”. So do you not think that we as humans have some control over the path our lives will take?
calebo 08.08.08 at 12:23 am
No, we have control over the path of our lives… but God has greater control — if that makes any sense?
Here’s the way I understand it as of now:
We have free will to do whatever we want… choose whatever we want… etc.
But because we are CREATED by an infinite being who was before creation… who is all powerful and always accomplishes His will — then the creator’s will is greater than the created’s will.
In short, we have the ability to control our lives — to an extent — but God can turn our choices into working His perfect will.
For instance, Adam chose independence away from God in the garden. This didn’t surprise God, He knew it would happen. It wasn’t the original plan but that’s the result of giving creations free will, but He also knew it would happen before Adam was even created. So He also had a plan to reconcile Adam and the entire world back to Himself (Jesus).
Just like God knows people will choose to murder other people… He doesn’t initiate it, yet it doesn’t surprise Him — and yet, even though it’s not the original plan — God can use that persons “bad” choice (murder) to work towards His ultimate glory.
I hope this makes sense as it’s very difficult to explain and to be honest, I don’t understand it all myself anyways.
With Love
Caleb
Jessica 08.08.08 at 2:14 am
Makes sense, its always nice to get a glimpse into your head sometimes.