“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” ~ Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
Do you feel that you have disappointed God? To be honest I do some days. The way how I treat others; not always in a way He would like me to. Some days I don’t live forgiven even though I am.
Will my actions deny me entrance to heaven. No, of course not. But still…
Before I continue with this week’s look at living fearlessly, let me share a quote from ‘Fearless‘:
“‘Cash in too many mercy checks, and sooner or later one is going to bounce!’ The devil loves this line of logic. If he can convince us that God’s grace has limited funds, we’ll draw the logical conclusion. The account is empty. God has locked the door to his throne room. Pound all you want; pray all you want. No access to God.’ ~ Max Lucado (emphasis mine)
You know, I fear that when (not if) I get to heaven, that our Lord would raise an eyebrow because I didn’t follow the path He has laid out for me. I am afraid that I miss something; I miss being compassionate to someone He has put in my path…Again, what if…
In his book, Max Lucado pointed out people that have messed up ‘big-time’ (Peter, David, the Samaritan woman). Guess what? God and Jesus restore them all, forgave their sins. All three of them received grace. And you know what? So are we: forgiven and received grace.
Do I want to mess up? No, I don’t. But in my human state I do. Looking at Peter, David, and the Samaritan women, I have good company. Peter denied Christ three time (Mark 14:66-72), David took another man’s wife (2 Samuel 11), the Samaritan woman had more than one husband (John 4:1-42). Where their sins greater than mine, or visa verse? This is not the point. All sins are the same in God’s eyes. I don’t have to fear to disappoint Him – He already knows that I will slip up. He has provided my way to heaven in Christ.
I think that Casting Crowns have hit the nail right on the head when they penned the song “Who am I”. I want to close my post with the bridge of the song:
“Not because of who I am,
But because of what you’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who you are.”
Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: You are forgiven, so that you can live fearlessly; you will not disappoint God.
Such a beautiful post sis, love you.
Iris, just what I needed to be reminded of this morning. I too know that He has forgiven me but I hate when I mess up. I want to be in the center of His will but I know at times I wander trying to fix things myself.
Living fearlessly takes faith and belief that God is unchanging and to trust Him.
Love you,
Debbie
I think the struggle I have is falling in the same sin over and over and over again. I feel like if I ask forgiveness for that one thing for the millionth time then that may be one time to much. That is wrong thinking! God knows I am weak, but it is only through HIS strength I can have any victory over sin. Ans when I fall once again, He will be there. Amazing but true. Great thoughts today.
Great post Iris. And I love the words to that Casting Crowns song too. The part you quoted shows us exactly the right focus: not because of who I am or what I’ve done…not because of who you are or what you’ve done..but because of who God is and what He has done. It’s all about Him! Praise His Name!
I’m so thankful that no matter how many times I mess up He is faithful to forgive me.
Thank you for this post.
I know, I know that God loves us in this way, but it is so hard to accept some days. At this moment I still sit amazed that His loves is truly unconditional. How truly blessed we all are to have a God that loves us in this way!
I am tired of always asking forgiveness for every mistake. Where is the grace???
Casting Crowns wrote it perfectly. It is not because of who I am or what I’ve done that He has forgiven me. His grace is given because He loves us so much that he willingly went to the cross for us. Thank you, Lord!
Thanks, Iris –
I linked to this post for today’s “homework.” We will see HIM face-to-face … and what a day of rejoicing THAT will be!
Very best,
Steve
http://www.rogershermansociety.org/homework.htm