For life? Really?
Yep- Again, the gospel applies to ev-er-y-thing.
Relationship problems?
Take it to the gospel. It is so freeing to myself and those I come in contact with when I see them as God sees them... and when I see myself and God sees me: unconditionally accepted, not defined by my behavior in the flesh but in my new identity in Christ. Example: So if this person is treating me in an unloving way or I don't feel their love I take it to God...
"God how do you see this person?"
"Well Katie, I see him as loving because in Christ he IS loving. That's how I see him: for who he is. I accept him as my beloved child and nothing he can do can change that. I know his heart and I have not made you where you can see his heart, that's my job. Leave his behavior up to me and love him. Accept him. I have paid the price for all that he has done against you on the cross, therefore the behavior is irrelevant to complete and total acceptance. Love him like I have loved you, forgive him and accept him just as I have done for you."
If I follow Father's advice I am freed up in many ways:
I don't have to control this person or make them love me. I free them up to love me out of their fullness in Christ since I do not put standards or law on them by judging them (judging them in my heart or outwardly to their face is the same thing). I have a relationship where I am free to be myself because I am not worried about being rejected myself because I know who I am: Accepted and totally loved and in the beloved. I don't need this persons love although it is icing on the cake: It can be an affirmation and intensification of what I already know and have actually received from Christ alone but it can never replace it. Christ alone is enough.
True acceptance is from Christ: NOT Christ + others or Christ + acceptance of myself +others
it's HIM. And as He reveals this more and more to me, the more my freedom increases because regardless of what happens or what my circumstances my indicate (rejection, failure, etc) I stand accepted totally by a Holy Father who loves me with a depth that no man can touch. THAT is enough.
