Let the accuser roar of sins that I have done. I know them all, plus thousands more. Jehovah knoweth none. --unknown hymn
It's amazing what love motivates us to do. I've said it more than once that I hope to continue to fall more in love with the Lord so much so that I am a fool for him. This may sound fanatical to some, but I imagine Jesus sounded like a fanatic when he was saying he is the son of God. That's just kinda how he does things. But I have found the more I come into knowing HIs love, the more fanatical I become! Jesus came to clarify that it's not about works. He wanted us to know that our identity is not found in what we do. The world and religion tries to tell us the opposite... "I am a lawyer" "I'm a nurse" "I'm a student" "I'm a runner" "I play guitar" "I'm a blonde"
Isn't there more to us than that? Aren't human beings infinitely valuable? I believe they are if God allowed His son to die for us while we were DEAD and in Sin (It's like it says in Romans: It's one thing to die for a good man, but another to die for a man who is dead... dead in his sin). Wow. He LOVES us! He considers us of great value. I believe it's our SPIRIT that relates to God. It's what makes us different than every other creature here on earth and the trouble is when we are born our spirit is deformed, dead in sin. The Good News is that Christ came, was born with a Live Spirit, lived a perfect life, and even though he had no debt owed for his sin (yep he did not commit one) He payed the price for all of ours. Why? So we could be with HIM. Sin separates and Jesus' sacrifice unites. He gives us His Holy Spirit, His life (the old has gone and the new has come) when we accept it to be true (remember it's true, therefore I believe it) and acknowledge our spiritual death and rebirth at the cross. We aren't just forgiven, but we are given a new identity. Pure, holy, child of God. There's nothing we can do/not do to change that.
Hear this: Our sin has NOTHING to do with us! Our behavior is not who we are. The more we realize this the more we can accept ourselves and accept others. Who wouldn't want to love a precious child of the King of Kings?! Our behavior is irrelevant in God's economy- in eternity- at the judgement seat of Christ all things not done if faith will burn up like wood hay and stubble (this includes good things we did for our own selfish purposes, out of self strength) and those done in Christ will last. Your behavior is NOT your identity! Remember Jesus calling the pharisees out because they thought they were righteous because of what they did? They were wrong. They missed the point. They missed the love relationship with God.
You see, when I know that my righteousness is totally totally given to me from Christ I can rest, stop trying to earn or fabricate something that I already have and live in relationship. My life may look similar to someone living by the law b/c they are good principles but they will struggle all their lives to live for a God who has impossible expectations and punishes when I mess up or miss the point. Focusing on the law makes you miss relationship and rely on self. When I recognize the depravity of self strength (end of self) I can totally surrender. I am FREE. I am FREE to be ME in the Presense of a loving father God, my companion, my fortress, my deliverer.
So I dont live for a God who has harsh demands- who would want to be intimate with a stone cold person like that? I live for a God who loves me and gave Himself for me. How could I be anything but obedient to Him, I mean, I hardly have to think about it because I know my identity, I know where I stand with Him, I experience His presense and the power in that and I dont have to look for love or significance because I have all I need in Christ Jesus, in His life that He freely gives. Wow. Mind-boggling...
He loves me! I am content whatever the circumstances. To know I am loved to be so full makes me WANT to serve and love others because I can't keep this magnificence to myself. I mean, there's nothing like a girl(or guy of course) who knows she's loved and valuable to someone. It brings out her best- Her personality shines. In fact, I might say it's totally illumined by that love! This is what He offers us...
Please don't return to the law: placing standards on yourself and others and having to achieve your identity. This is a done deal. At the cross he gave you his blood for forgiveness and His body for a new life. You have received His life which makes you righteous and holy in your identity.
Now be who you are. L O V E D! (Be-Loved)
Please don't return to the law: placing standards on yourself and others and having to achieve your identity. This is a done deal. At the cross he gave you his blood for forgiveness and His body for a new life. You have received His life which makes you righteous and holy in your identity.
Now be who you are. L O V E D! (Be-Loved)
