 |
| Free-source Photo |
Non-Christians often think that Christians have to live a perfect life; that they have never gone down an ugly road in life, that they do not know ‘real suffering’, or that we think that we are ‘higher up’ than others. Many non-Christians think that they have messed up too much for there to be any hope for them. They do not turn to God for help because they believe that the things they have done are unforgivable. As Christians we are very well aware of the fact that we are not perfect. It is because of how badly we messed up our lives that we need Jesus. Think about that for a minute... we have botched things so badly that only the creator of the universe can get us out of the mess we’re in. That is some pretty nasty stuff!
Christians are also aware that we will continue to be imperfect as long as we are in this world. This is part of our sinful nature.... the nature of all people. We just cannot help it. No one has escaped this fate. In God’s eyes it does not matter if you told a ‘little white lie’, if you robbed a little old lady on the street, or if you raped or killed someone. Sin is sin! Romans 3:23 (NIV84) tells us that ‘all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’.
For me, sometimes, this sin comes in the form of doubting God, or forgetting a lesson that He has taught me already. Sometimes it is a lesson that He’s taught me a hundred times before now. When Satan starts whispering in my ear that ‘I am just a lost cause’, or ‘I have gone way to far this time’, or ‘This definitely has to be the one unforgiveable sin’; sometimes I start to believe him. As a Christian I am aware that this is not true. Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) tells us that “The Lord says, now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.” The thing about God is, that no matter how many times I start to think that I am not worthy, He will always find a way to make sure I get the message, again, that He loves me, that I am forgiven... for everything!
I was thinking, again, recently that I had failed God beyond hope. However, He made sure that I was present for a service at a church that I had never gone to before. First, there were 2 people who told their stories about extreme sin (involving horrible crimes they had done and that were done to them). They told us how they survived unbelievable circumstances. God not only brought them through it, He forgave them for their sins and, now, leads them to tell their stories to people like me who tend to doubt so that we can see what He has done for other people. Then, the sermon preached told me that I am important to God. I am a ‘somebody’ in His eyes. My sins are forgiven.... all of them, even the ones that I think are just way too bad to be forgiven. God said “"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25 (NIV84) That is right, He forgives us and then forgets about the sin completely! It is over, done, removed, erased, gone, pardoned, forgotten... forgiven!
God finds many ways to give me these messages each and every time I need to hear them. Sometimes it’s through a bible verse that jumps off the page at me; or through a book, devotional message or an article I am reading; or through a comment that I hear someone say, or through something I may see on TV or on the street. God will talk to you in the ‘language’ that you understand; in ways that will be obvious to you, which may not be the same way as he talks to your friend, your child, or your spouse. You will know it is Him when what you hear agrees with His Word. If it is contradictory to the Bible, it is not God speaking to you. So... you, reading this... the one that thinks ‘well, she’s not talking to me because my sin is way too bad’... I am talking to you! God forgives you! He loves you! Nothing... absolutely nothing... you have done or will do can make Him stop loving you. All you have to do is invite Jesus into your heart and ask for forgiveness, and it’s yours! It’s a free gift; you just have to take it.
You know those moments when you hear something that you have heard a 1000 times before but, for some reason, this time it hits you in a whole new light? It feels like you suddenly understand something you thought you have understood your whole life, but apparently you haven’t. I love those moments, especially when I know it is a message from God. Each time it feels like the first time I am hearing it. It feels like incredibly exciting news... and it is!
~~Dear God~~ Thank you for never giving up on me no matter how often or how badly I mess up. Thank You for Your forgiveness each ‘first time’ that You have to teach me an important lesson; and thank You for sacrificing Jesus to save me. Please help me to hear Your voice when you are talking to me, and guide my every step so that I will walk closer to You every day. Please give me Your strength fight the enemy when he is trying to lead me astray. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Here’s a song by Jason Gray called “First Time Again”. Listen to the lyrics. It’s awesome.
This post hit home for me because there was a time recently I felt what I had done was the end all and I was doomed. But after many chats with Brother Greg and re reading His Word I now firmly believe I am forgiven and have been set back on the right path again. it was a tough lesson to learn.
ReplyDeleteConnecting... the best lessons are the ones that require the biggest struggles. In the end though the journey brings you soooo much further ahead. As long as you keep your eye on Jesus, you are guaranteed to come out the other end of the struggle into happiness.
ReplyDelete