All the Right Ingredients, But Still Human
I grew up in church. I grew up learning all the “right” answers to church questions & memorizing Bible verses for a sticker on a chart or a piece of candy. I grew up mimicking all of the “right” behaviors of a Christian. In fact, I became a Christian, accepting Jesus to cover my sin, at only 5 years old.
I had all the right, Bible-led ingredients to set me up well for life.
But that didn’t change the fact that I am still human & am prone to err. I still have a fleshly, human nature. I still have times where I want what I know is bad for me.
I still have a heart prone to wandering, self-seeking rebellion.
Nothing New There… The Cycle of Humanity
And, if you look throughout history, even the history recorded in God’s Word—the Bible—you will find that I am not alone–Just look at the Israelites throughout Scripture (the Bible). Faithful to God in one period & then rebelling/hardening against Him in the next.
Even Paul expressed this when he said, “I do what I don’t want to do & don’t do what I want to do.” (Romans 7:19)
He also expressed the NEED to TAKE EVERY thought CAPTIVE. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
There would be no need for him to mention these things if it weren’t easy to do… letting thoughts wander where they shouldn’t, doing what you know you shouldn’t, or neglecting to do what you know you ought… all so easy to do & without even intending rebellion.
Christians get harassed for hypocrisy, but really, we’re just humans… just as sin-torn as the rest of the world… just as deserving of Hell… Just as prone to be self-seeking.
Saved by God, Not Ourselves, Our Goodness, Nor Our Good Works
But the Gospel changes everything.
We are saved by God (not of ourselves), through the submission of Christ on the cross to pay our debts, not by our own merit or works… not because we’re “good enough” or deserving, but just because God offers GRACE. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
If you are tempted to consider God a cruel dictator Who wants to control any & everything, uncaring about any of us down here… then you have Him completely wrong, my friend.
Worthy of Praise!
The fact is, He is no dictator… BUT… God does have EXCLUSIVE right to ULTIMATE authority in Heaven & on earth.
He made everything ex nihilo (from nothing).
He exists outside of time itself.
He sees every heart, knows every thought, past, present, & future across every inch of time & space.
He is not a cruel dictator, but He IS KING ALMIGHTY, a benevolent Ruler of all.
He doesn’t WANT to control everything, He DOES control everything.
But, He is a benevolent Ruler, Whose plan from the very beginning was to pave the way for GRACE.
Not even just MERCY—forgiving the punishment we deserve, through Jesus’ willing sacrifice….
But GRACE–giving beyond forgiveness! He is WORTHY of PRAISE!
God Gives & Gives & Gives to Those Who Accept His GRACE
His Gospel AKA Good News AKA the story of His redemption offered to mankind, through Jesus, is not “JUST” about forgiving our wrongs, but also adopting us as His Sons & Daughters, making us heirs together WITH Jesus.
AND, that includes the help of His Holy Spirit Who comes to every person who has submitted to the grace from Jesus, to guide, to teach, to comfort, to counsel, & to ENABLE & STRENGTHEN us to walk in faithful obedience to God.
The Gospel changes EVERYTHING.
I Am Undeserving & I Know It
Me, even having grown up in the church, learning to imitate “good Christian behavior” & learning all the “right answers” to churchy questions, learning Bible stories & memorizing Bible verses from a young age… even with all that, I screw up EVERY DAY.
I am selfish. I am a comfort-seeker. I don’t like going outside my comfort zone & will waste SO MUCH TIME & energy trying to avoid anything that requires it until I have exhausted myself, relent, apologize to God for my bad attitude/distrust, & then finally walk in obedience to God’s lead.
Most weeks, I want to just close my computer screen selfishly & say, “who cares about any of this! I don’t want to be responsible & keep showing up. I want to live for me & just watch tv or avoid anything resembling work that a boss isn’t requiring of me for my next paycheck.”
Doing this blog is out of my comfort zone. It requires me to keep showing up. It requires consistency & effort when pjs & the tv remote beckon me over.
But, GRACE… Daily GRACE
But then I finally stop procrastinating long enough to recognize my sinful, self-destructive self-centeredness & I have to repent, ask God to forgive me AGAIN (which He is always so quick to do!) & then I have to ask for His help in walking forward in faith & obedience to His call so I don’t selfishly waste this life He has given me.
Maybe…
Maybe your whole life could be summed up in one word: SIN.
Maybe you think you’d be voted “least likely to become a Christian.”
Maybe you ARE a Christian, but some days, like me, you feel like a fraud because you look around & everyone else just seems more willing to submit & obey & trust God as soon as He calls.
But…
But let me tell you the Good News… The Gospel changes EVERYTHING.
God’s grace, the Gospel, is not reserved for the “deserving” & THANK GOD because absolutely NO ONE would qualify!
God’s grace is for the SINNER. AKA?… EVERYONE.
God’s grace is reserved simply for those WILLING to ACCEPT it.
To accept your need of it.
To accept His gift to cover that need—Jesus Christ.
Jesus Changes Everything
Jesus changes everything.
Jesus is GOD. (Philippians 2:5-6) Jesus came to Earth as fully God while fully man, born of a virgin—a miracle of God. (Isaiah 7:14, Immanuel, “God with us”)
Jesus lived a sinless life, as a spotless lamb… the perfect sacrifice. (1 Peter 1:17-19)
Jesus wept. He loved. He served. He taught. He healed. He LOVED us to the cross. (Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, in the Bible.)
Jesus took God’s wrath, our deserved punishment for our rebellion & sin, on HIMSELF, to the cross & to the grave. (Isaiah 53:5)
And HE ROSE AGAIN three days later, conquering both OUR SIN & DEATH. (Matthew 28:6)
So that WHOEVER believes on HIM shall NOT perish, but HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. (John 3:16)
The Gospel Changes Everything
It is the piece of the puzzle we all crave & search for in other things which will never actually satisfy. We can ONLY find that satisfaction in Jesus.
It is the defining decision that changes us forever & for all eternity.
Will we automatically become perfect? NO!
But we begin to fail FORWARD, changing our focus from self-driven, to grace-driven.
God’s grace becomes our motivation. To glorify Him & make Him known. To shine HIS HOPE to the world who is lost as we once were… to shine the way back HOME to Him. To live for the reason for our HOPE.
The Gospel changes everything. It’s free to all who will accept their need for it & ask Him for it.
Let the Gospel Change You Every Day… NOTHING Is More Worth Your Pursuit
Let the Gospel change you, too. Whether you’re a long-time, ever-slipping-up Christian like me, or whether you have never tasted & felt His grace.
Reach up for it. Ask Him for a fresh start AGAIN. Cry out to Him.
Let Him show you just how much He loves you & just how worthy He is of our praise.
And SHINE HOPE by letting the Gospel change you, too—every single day, from the inside out. Be willing to fail forward, in GRACE.
Coming Next Week
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Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Darling Charms Set
This set of six pairs of versatile & colorful ethically-collected bone, clay, & metal charms are handcrafted in India by Artisans who are committed to fighting child marriage & also providing opportunities for women to become financially independent as fair-trade Artisans.
Designed to mix & match, create a new look each time you wear them with our Customizable Gold Hoops or your favorite bracelets and necklaces!
Every purchase supports vulnerable women in areas of extreme poverty in India.
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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!
