For centuries, people have asked one of the most pressing spiritual questions: What does God really want from me? Do I need to work harder, try to be better, follow all the rules, and hope my efforts are enough? Or is there something more—something simpler—that I have been missing all along?
The truth is, many of us have been conditioned to believe that our worth in God’s eyes is measured by our performance. We carry invisible checklists of prayers said, good deeds done, or mistakes avoided. When we succeed, we feel pride. When we fail, we feel shame. Slowly, faith becomes less about freedom and more about fear.
Yet the message of Scripture tells a very different story. The heart of the Gospel is not about what we can do for God, but what God has already done for us through Christ. Salvation is not earned by working harder or by achieving spiritual perfection. It is a gift of grace, freely given, flowing out of a love that cannot be measured by human standards.
When we understand this truth, everything changes. We no longer live as people striving to win God’s favor. We live as beloved sons and daughters who already have it. That shift frees us from the exhausting cycle of trying to earn what has already been given. It also transforms the way we respond to life’s challenges. Instead of fear or shame, we find peace. Instead of obligation, we discover joy.
This kind of freedom does not mean life will be without struggles. The Bible is clear that trials and heartaches are part of the journey. But when faith is rooted in God’s unconditional love, those struggles no longer define us. We can walk through them with confidence, knowing that the Spirit gives us strength far beyond what we could muster on our own.
In his book, Christianity is Easy Compared to the Alternative Richard Bolen reminds readers of this liberating truth. He calls us back to the essence of the Gospel: a relationship with God that is based on grace, not performance. With clarity and compassion, he exposes the lies that keep people trapped in works-based thinking and shows the path toward a faith that truly sets us free.
If you have ever felt that Christianity was heavy, demanding, or impossible, this message is for you. You were never meant to carry the burden of earning God’s approval. You were meant to live in the joy of His love, empowered by His Spirit.
Discover the freedom of a faith that rests in God’s love. Richard Bolen’s book, Christianity is Easy Compared to the Alternative, will challenge your assumptions, renew your hope, and show you the power of grace beyond works.