Performance-based faith says this:
“God accepts you more when you do better.”
“God is displeased when you fail.”
“Your standing rises and falls with behavior.”
This belief hides behind Christian language. It sounds obedient but it is far from it. It is the very lie that plagues so many every single day. At the core of this belief is fear.
Scripture rejects it.
Titus 3:5 CSB
He saved us- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy-through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.2 Timothy 1:7 CSB
For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
Salvation does not begin with behavior. It begins with mercy.
WHY PERFORMANCE-BASED FAITH IS SO DECEPTIVE
It mimics obedience.
Obedience flows from salvation.
Performance tries to produce salvation.
The actions look similar.
The source is different.
Romans 8:15 CSB
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out “Abba, Father!”
Fear reveals the root of what lies in the heart.
It appeals to the flesh.
The flesh wants control.
Performance gives the illusion of control.
If you do well, you feel safe.
If you fail, you panic.
Galatians 3:3 CSB
Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh?
It turns God into a taskmaster.
God becomes a scorekeeper.
Prayer becomes anxiety.
Repentance becomes shame management.
Psalm 103:10 CSB
He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities.
HOW PERFORMANCE-BASED FAITH SHOWS UP DAILY
Watch for these signs.
• You avoid prayer after failure
• You feel closer to God on “good” days
• You fear being exposed spiritually
• You measure others by visible obedience
• You struggle to rest without guilt
These are not signs of holiness.
They are signs of slavery.
John 8:36 CSB
So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.
WHAT TITUS 3:5 CORRECTS
Titus 3:5 does three things:
- It removes human contribution- Not because of works done by us in righteousness. Your best effort never saved you. Your worst failure did not surprise God.
Isaiah 64:6 CSB
All of us have become like something unclean, and all of our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
- It centers mercy as the cause- According to His mercy. Mercy is God acting toward the undeserving. Grace flows from mercy.
Lamentations 3:22 CSB
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.
- It establishes new life as God’s work- By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. You were made new. Not trained better. Not improved gradually.
2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS YOU CAN APPLY TODAY
These are not theories. These are daily practices.
APPLICATION 1. NAME THE LIE OUT LOUD
Say this when you fail:
“I am not earning God’s mercy. I am living from it.”
Romans 5:1 CSB
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace comes before correction.
APPLICATION 2. REPENT WITHOUT PUNISHING YOURSELF
Repentance is agreement with God.
Self-punishment is pride.
Confess quickly.
Move forward freely.
1 John 1:9 CSB
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
APPLICATION 3. STOP MEASURING SPIRITUAL DAYS
There are no “good” or “bad” days before God.
There are obedient responses and learning moments.
Your standing does not fluctuate.
Hebrews 10:14 CSB
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
APPLICATION 4. OBEY FROM GRATITUDE
Ask this before action:
Am I obeying to be accepted?
or because I am accepted?
John 14:15 CSB
If you love Me, you will keep My commands.
Love comes first.
APPLICATION 5. PREACH THE GOSPEL TO YOURSELF DAILY
Do not wait for Sunday.
Speak truth daily.
Say this:
“I was saved by mercy, and I stand on this truth.”
Ephesians 2:8 CSB
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift.
WHAT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE
Freedom does not remove obedience.
It removes fear.
Freedom produces:
• Honest repentance
• Consistent growth
• Deep rest
• Steady joy
Matthew 11:28 CSB
Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
FINAL TRUTH TO SETTLE YOUR HEART
You are not on probation.
Neither are you proving your worth.
You are not earning mercy.
You were saved according to His mercy.
Live from that place.
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All Scripture quotations are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), unless otherwise noted.
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