I think most Christians, if asked, would say that they are sure of their standing with God. All one needs to do is read 1 John to hear his constant confident reiterations of assurance concerning our eternal destiny. We can know without doubt that we have eternal life! However, the devil has done a number on us and we doubt. We question ourselves. We know what the bible says, we know we've been forgiven, but we also know all we've done and our deepest, innermost thoughts.
It's tough to reconcile God's forgiveness with the reality of our sinfulness. Even after we experience that initial forgiveness when we first give our lives to Christ, we soon realize that sin remains part of our life. We think, "How can I be heaven bound and do such things, think such thoughts?" God never intended for his children to think this way.
This is why it is so important to understand grace. Grace sets the record straight. Grace balances the scales. Grace clears the muddy water. Grace is God saying, "I know you aren't worthy, but my Son is." No matter how righteous we live, no matter how many things we do in the name of Jesus, no matter how many people we lead to Christ we don't deserve salvation. We will never be able to examine our lives and feel "worthy" because of things we have done yet, grace says that we need not feel "unworthy" because of things we have done.
The next time you or one of your Christian friends question your standing with God, remember the words of Paul. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Psalm 46 – Derek: Meditating on the Way
5 days ago
4 comments:
We so often have a difficult time forgiving ourselves. Since we can't forget what we've done wrong, it's hard to believe that God could have wiped that sin out.
I think most Christians struggle with this from time to time. Thanks for sharing some good thoughts to help us in the struggle
Thanks, Tim!
Very good thoughts, Mitchell. I remember one of my Christian relatives as she was dying; she was very anxious because she knew that she was not good enough and had not done enough to deserve heaven. I wish I could have helped reassure her about the grace God extends to believers, but I didn't do a very good job of it. Thanks for sharing this post. It may help someone in a similar situation.
I think we all need reassuring from time to time, Terry. Thanks for your kind comments.