My wife and I took a cruise to Bermuda to celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary. I think it was the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever taken. No responsibilities. Nothing to cook. No concern about what a meal would cost. To top it all off, we received tremendous favor from the cruise staff. It’s really nice to be treated like royalty.

There’s something bothersome, however, about this type of favor; it comes with a “hook” in that it’s cloaked with ulterior motives. How did Debi and I gain our favor? We paid money for the cruise. And had we paid more and taken more trips, we could have joined the cruise line’s VIP club. It’s easy to become a Very Important Person if you have a lot of money.

The Hook

That’s the way this world’s system works. People favor you for what they can get out of you. Money, a favorable review, or a share of your glory (assuming that you’re at least somewhat famous) all give people the incentive to treat you like your special. Those who have little to offer, on the other hand, can do nothing but stand on the outside, green with envy, as they look on from a distance.

But the Bible speaks of another type of favor that is unique to Christianity. This dimension of grace is often defined as “unmerited favor,” and it is profoundly special in itself.

Belief systems, in general, require us to perform according to certain standards in order to achieve favored status. If we do enough good deeds, make enough sacrifices, and give enough money, we can expect heaven’s glory to shine upon us. Or so we think.

All in the Same Boat

Christianity, however, doesn’t work that way. In the eyes of heaven, all people, regardless of privilege or ability, start from the same baseline. We’re all guilty of sinful rebellion against the throne of heaven, and we all deserve to be harshly punished for our actions. A person could help little old ladies across the street from now until eternity and it would never be enough to atone for our crimes against heaven. No amount of religious activity can ever suffice to gain heaven’s favor.

Enter Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly subjected Himself to a torturous death on the cross so that the favor He merited could be extended to those who deserve only judgment. Apart from fully embracing Christ’s sufficiency by faith, there is nothing a person can do to experience God’s favor.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22 (NASB)

This is really good news for the individual who is well aware of his or her shortcomings, but it is offensive to the human ego which constantly seeks to proclaim its own glory.

Awesomely Favored!

One of the most beautiful things about God’s favor is that it doesn’t come with a hook. God doesn’t favor us for what He can get out of us; He favors us because He wants the very best for our lives. We aren’t VIPs because of what we can offer; we’re VIPs because the heavenly Father’s love is so profoundly deep. Those who are used by God will never “feel used” in the end.

Of all of the things we value in life, God’s favor really should be at the top of the list. Think about it—if the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving Creator of the Universe favors you, what else do you need? If you know that God favors you, you can relax and be at peace. Everything you need, in its time, will fall in line.