As I write today's post I want to start of by humbly stating that I once was a person who justified all of my sins. I could tell you why it was ok (in my eyes) and how I wasn't as bad as so and so. I could list off the things that other people do that is much worse than the things I do. And of course I could always find you another "Christian" that was doing worse stuff than me. I used so many things to justify the sin I was messed up in because I would not allowed God to open my eyes to it. It was only when I came to then end of myself and surrendered it ALL to Him that my eyes were opened. And when that moment happened I was not only disgusted with my own sin, but I was so bothered by all the others sins around me that I never even noticed before.
I have been asked what was the moment that changed it all for me? And the answer I always give is that my experience with God moved from a religion to a relationship. When it was just religion everything was just about "rules". But once it became a relationship it was now about love. The things I did and didn't do before were all based on how good I could be that day....and if I couldn't be good then the only sorrow I had was out of guilt...guilt of God seeing my sin. But when the motives of my heart were driven out of love, then the things I do and don't do became about showing Him my love back to Him. This did not create a need for perfection in me, but instead it created a want to remain as pure as I can be FOR HIM. And when I mess up I now understand that His grace that covers my mess up is purely out of His love back to me. He knows I don't want to do things that don't please Him and He knows I don't want to abuse His grace. And out of that I have a loving relationship with my creator....and my life has never been the same.
Sin has consequences. If you do not get that then you are living deceived. The biggest consequence it has is the distance it causes between you and God, but all sin also has earthly consequences. Every day people are hurt, families are ruined and lives are destroyed because of sin. God knew the impact sin would have on us and that is why His will for our lives is to pull us as far away from sin as possible. And a relationship with Him is the ONLY way you will accomplish this. You can try it on your own (being good), but you will be exhausted. He offers a love, peace and joy that no sin can ever replace.
As you read this today, I would like to challenge you to think about where you are with God. If you call yourself a "Christian"...or even if you don't. God gave me this example and I want to share it with you as you consider where you stand. We have all heard of arranged marriages. When two people come together through an arrangement and are legally married. It is still a marriage. It still has all the same legal bindings and responsibilities because it is a marriage. Now compare that to 2 people who marry because they fell in love. Their hearts are in it. They want to help, serve and love one another. They care deeply for each other and desire to please each other and never do anything that hurts each other. In the arranged marriage the couple certainly can get to this place, but it definitely won't start off that way. Now, think about your relationship with God. IF you have truly repented and received the gift of Jesus then you can say your a "Christian", and you technically are, but are you living the life of an "arranged marriage" with God....or are you truly "married to Him". As for me, I am married to Him. I want nothing more than to show Him my love and do things that please Him...and avoid things that don't. That is the change that took place for me....I moved from rules to a relationship.... to a deep loving relationship with Him. If you are honest with yourself today, which are you in? Is pleasing Him at all cost at the top of your list today? Or are you still trying to justify the sin that you want to keep in your life? Give Him all of you and let Him show you an amazing life...better than anything you could ever imagine!
God, thank You for the relationship that You offer to us. Please help us not take it for granted or take advantage of it. Your grace is not owed to us, but is offered to us freely out of pure love. May we not abuse it and instead show You our love back to You by living in a way that is pleasing to You. And please help that create a light in us that can be seen by others....so YOU can be glorified and others will be drawn to what you have to offer them...I loving relationship with their creator! In Jesus name, Amen
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