Opening Your Heart to God’s Favor

Based on videos 1 & 2, “Opening Your Heart to God’s Favor” and “Experiencing Unconditional Love”

Defining Favor

What is the favor of God? Can you actually live in it? And is it possible to be a child of God—fully saved—yet live without experiencing His favor?

The dictionary defines favor as:

• Approval
• Support
• Kindness
• Esteem
• Unfair partiality

That last one might feel strange, but don’t we all want God’s unfair partiality working in our lives? We long for His help, His blessing, and His kindness.

But many believers live without it—not because God withholds it, but because they don’t understand how it works. Favor isn’t automatic. Unlocking it starts by opening your heart to who God really is.

Understanding the Father Behind the Favor

Before you can receive favor, you need to know the Giver. Many people imagine God as distant—some cosmic force far removed from daily life. But Jesus shows us something different.

“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? […] How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11, 13 ESV).

God is:

• Personal
• Loving
• Generous
• Involved in your daily life

He longs to bless you. But trust and relationship come first.

Love Is Unconditional. Favor Is Not.

Here’s a truth we don’t always talk about: God’s love and God’s favor are not the same.

His love is unconditional. You can’t earn it—and you can’t lose it. God loves you because He loves you. There is nothing you can do to make Him stop loving you.

But His favor, blessing, and approval? Those are conditional.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (John 14:15; 15:10 ESV).

Christians often miss that the blessings, favor, and promises of God are not automatic. They are conditional. Just like a math postulate that says, “If this, then that,” the Bible repeatedly shows us this pattern.

God says:

• If you forgive others, then I will forgive you (Matthew 18:35).
• If you seek Me, then you will find Me (Jeremiah 29:13).
• If you are willing and obedient, then you will eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

Yes, His love is unconditional. But His favor is activated through obedience.

Grace Can’t Be Earned—But Rewards Are Real

Favor begins with salvation, which is a gift that comes through grace. You don’t earn salvation. You simply receive it.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV).

Mercy withholds the judgment we deserve. Grace gives what we could never earn.
That’s favor in action.

But Scripture also makes it clear that we will be rewarded for what we do here on earth. Salvation is a gift—but rewards are earned.

One day, you and I will stand before God. And what we did with our time, talents, and obedience will matter. Our works don’t save us—but they do store up eternal rewards. The Bible calls them crowns. Living in God’s favor now prepares us to be rewarded later.

Favor Requires Your Participation

Many believers stop at salvation and miss the daily favor God wants to pour out. Favor is meant to impact your life here and now—your relationships, finances, health, and purpose.

But favor doesn’t fall automatically; it requires participation.

When you …

• Obey His Word
• Align your heart with His priorities
• Surrender your will to His leadership

… you walk in His unfair partiality. Not because you’re perfect—but because you’re positioned to receive His blessings.

And when your heart is open to His favor, everything changes.

The Blessing of Living in Alignment

So why don’t more people walk in favor? Because they haven’t made the connection between obedience and blessing.

Obedience isn’t about perfection—it’s about alignment.

Think of favor like an umbrella. If you step out from under it, the rain hits you. But if you stay aligned—under God’s covering—you receive His protection, provision, and promotion.

Don’t settle for just knowing God loves you. Open your heart to live in His favor too.

Reflection Questions

• Where in your life might God be waiting for your obedience before releasing greater favor?
• What’s one area where you need to move from “knowing God loves me” to “living in alignment with His ways”?

 

Prayer

Father, I thank You for loving me unconditionally. Help me open my heart fully to Your favor, trusting that You are good and that You want to bless me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What’s Next?

Next time in “Drinking from the Fountain of Life,” you’ll discover the importance of choosing wisdom and integrity over flattery, and living for God’s approval—not man’s.

Congratulations on finishing this session! This 10-part Living in the Favor of God course will equip you to receive God’s blessings! Keep building on your momentum in the next session!

Additional Materials

• Psalm 30 connects favor with praise.
• “Enter Into God’s Favor Today!” by David Cerullo explains that God may be asking you to take a step of faith, so He can release His favor.
• Inspiration Ministries Spiritual Growth Hub
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