Bargaining with God!

“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5

The concept of bargaining is the idea you can do something for God and then He is obligated to bless you. Nothing can be further from the truth.

This concept died with Jesus on the Cross. 

The Old Testament was built on a series of laws given to Moses by God. This was a method of living prescribed by God. The Israelites were required to keep these laws in order to be blessed by God. 

Unfortunately, no could keep these laws. 

The laws were perfect but the Israelites were born with a corrupted inner nature (like you and me) and could never match up this standard of living.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people but they failed Him time and again. 

God was aware of this dilemma from the very beginning. He knew that no one could please Him through works or laws. 

God had a perfect plan to overcome this disfunction between Him and all humanity.

He sent Jesus, the son of God, to the earth to be a sacrifice for sin and to restore believers to God.

God knew this plan would work perfectly for all those who make a decision to live for Jesus by faith. 

The gift of salvation is based on faith and cannot be achieved by good works or keeping laws.

There is no obligation on the part of God to bless you because of anything you do for Him. 

Bargaining with God is a waste of time. You must submit to God and live under His authority through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus responds to all those who walk with Him by faith. And, He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him out.