Saturday, July 20, 2013

Perfection. [Day 2]

I'll be honest with you.

I struggle with perfection.

I grew up with this notion that I had to be 'perfect' to find favor in God's eyes. Now, I'm not saying that people made me feel this way. But the way I perceived messages and discussions were that I needed to strive for perfection.. and if I lost my way, it was a long road to repentance.

I heard over and over again, 'Saying sorry to God means that you aren't going to do the same thing over and over again. That's true repentance.' So, when I would make a mistake... and then make the same mistake again... I felt defeated. I started getting this thinking of, 'Why even repent anymore? If this isn't true repentance because I keep doing the same thing over and over again, why even say I'm sorry? I need to get things right in my life, then maybe I won't make the same mistake over and over again.. then maybe I can seek His face for some kind of forgiveness.'

I found myself tossing and turning at night time with forgiveness. It plagued my thoughts. I couldn't understand it. 

Then, one night while all was quiet in my house, I received this revelation. Through tears and a heartfelt prayer, this Bible verse came to mind:

1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

It doesn't say, "If we confess our sins when we know we aren't going to commit them again" and it doesn't say "If we confess our sins (only once because He doesn't allow you to go back and make them again.. that isn't true repentance.)

He says, "If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US..."

He has GRACE.

That is what grace is all about, folks.

I heard a quote once that stated, "It's not the law of religion nor the principles of morality that define our highways and pathways to God; only by the Grace of God are we led and drawn, to God. It is His grace that conquers a multitude of flaws and in that grace, there is only favor. Favor is not achieved; favor is received.” [C. Joybell C.] 

Favor isn't achieved. You can't earn His love and you surely can't earn His forgiveness. He doesn't HAVE to give it. He WANTS to give it. 

Don't you dare let anyone make you feel like you can't talk to Him. Don't you dare let anyone make you feel like you have made the same mistake too many times. That would be a disgrace in the eyes of God. He died on a cross for your sins... no one can put stipulations on that. He wasn't whipped multiple times for you to commit a sin once. He didn't carry an old rugged cross through the streets for you to feel SHAME about a pass transgression. He wasn't nailed to a cross for you to struggle with perfection. He was crucified so you could know what FREEDOM feels like. He was crucified so you could know what REST feels like. He was crucified so you could know what NO BURDENS feel like! 

Don't let your sins or the burden of your sins weigh you down. And don't let others make you feel that way. You aren't perfect? PERFECT. You stumble and fall? PERFECT. You don't have it all together? PERFECT. YOU are who He came for! The 'church' isn't here for the perfect. They're here for those that need HIS help. It isn't about how good we are. It's about how good He is. Let go of those burdens today. Just keep trying... just keep swimming. There is nothing wrong with imperfections. That's what He came for. 

Matthew 11:28-  Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.


Just Click To Send A Vote For Us @ Top Mommy Blogs

No comments:

August 13th Journal Prompt: Anger.

 The journal prompt of the day is: How do you deal with your anger? I bottle a lot of my emotions up inside. If I feel anger- it may show on...