I spent decades trying to earn the promises of God.
Until I found that there's nothing to be earned. It's all been given.
Even righteousness, the ability to live free from sin, comes to us as a gift through Jesus Christ.
There's only one thing the Lord has been looking for all along: faith.
Believing is how we access the promises of God. Only believing.
We can't mix in our earning efforts because they shift our faith from God's goodness to our performance.
If you want to please God, stop trying to impress Him.
Instead, believe in the One He sent to save you. And believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.