It's recently been brought to my attention that some people believe they don't deserve me. Now, that's a whole other post because seriously, people don't know me well enough. I'm the farthest from perfect as it gets and I encourage anyone that doubts that to stick around with me for a little while longer. But anyway,
I'm not even sure how to word this post. In class, we've been learning about conversion and about the faith that walks alongside conversion. So obviously we've talked about grace.
I was a sinner. I was dead with no hope. But Jesus came and saved me and because of Him, I'm alive. I had no hope, but Jesus is my hope. I was a dead body, but now I have life. Jesus did for me what I could never do for myself. In His power, He saved me.
That's grace. That's the gospel. That's the unfailing love of Risen King that is interceeding for us because He has redeemed us. That's hope, that's future, that's rest, and that's life.
I've been facing some stuff lately where I've been asking myself why I put up with certain things and certain people. Outwardly (like my sinful self usually is), I'm cold to this. "Don't mess with me cause I'll drop you." "I don't have time for that." "I don't have time to put up with that."
But in actuality, there's a conflict. Though I say those things, I don't believe those things.
Hm. I can't be deemed perfect because I'm the Queen of Second Chances. I can't be deemed perfect because I put up with more than others. That's what being a Christian is all about.
I've always considered myself to be one that is not easily forgiving, one that doesn't trust easily, one that doesn't give out do-overs. But the more and more that I learn about Jesus and about really being a "Christian", the more I learn about how twisted that is.
Jesus forgave me. Jesus trusted in me when I so unworthy of anyone's trust, definitely not the King of kings. Jesus gives me do-overs, moment after moment after moment. So how can I call myself a "Christian" if I don't agree with what Christ did for me?
It's hard to put this into words because it's very convicting for me. By me not doing what Jesus did for me, I'm saying that I'm above that, that I'm better than that. That even though Jesus forgave ME and gave His life for ME when I had no hope and no power, I don't owe that to anyone else because somehow I'm better than that.
That's my pride. Maybe I don't sin in the way the world would view it, but my pride is what should lead me to the grave. My pride is convincing me that I don't owe anything to anyone, even if I call myself a Christian.
Sounds ridiculous, right? I encourage you to take a look at yourself and see where your pride is too big. I find it more and more in my life everyday and I HATE it.
It's a harsh, harsh reality. What am I doing with myself if I don't really follow Christ's examples? How can I call myself a Christian if I put myself above Christ?
Give second chances because Jesus gave you the second chance. Forgive because Jesus forgave you on a cross when you were so unforgivable. Be kind and compassionate because this is how the Father loves you. Be graceful because it is by grace alone that you have been saved.
Micah 7:18-19-Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Mark 11:25-And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Matthew 26:28-This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians 2:1-10-As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Corinthians 5:17-Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1 John 1:9-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer Time: God, I thank you for the work that you're doing in my life. I pray that you would strip me of my pride, God. The glory is Yours and not my own. Thank you for second chances, for forgiveness, and for loving me when I am so terribly unlovable. Thank you for your kindness and your compassion. Thank you for grace, God. Thank you for calling me Yours and for making me righteous through Your Son. I pray that you would strengthen me to forgive those that for hurt me and to help me love those when I deem them as unlovable. Thank you for the cross and for Jesus. I pray that we, as Christians, would hold firm to the example that You have given us through Your Son. I pray that we would let that be our motivation, our hope, and our only desire. To You be the glory. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.
Sorry this is all over the place, welcome to my mind!
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