I suppose this truth is my uplift for this week. In order for it to be more than motivational speech from a Goalcast video--no offense to those--I would do well to recall that Jesus Christ died for me, and would have, even were I the only one in need of redemption. He endured human rejection, violence, and all the sorrow of the sins of humankind for me. For you.
People might be disappointed, or even angry with me. But Jesus has already made the definitive statement regarding my potential and my value. I myself may not even believe in my value in God's eyes. But who am I to argue with God? The flip-side of arguing against God, saying, "Why did you make me like this?" as though He has been unfair to us is also valid: I have no right to call unworthy that which he calls worthy. That which he redeems is of incalculable value. This is no less true for ourselves as it is for anyone else.
If this is true, how wasteful is it, in the face of our sins, to say, "This is just the way I am"? If we do, we can add "liar" to whatever else accurately describes us. If the Cross shows us the extent of His love in redeeming us, we have this and other images to show His generosity, for he also said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Hope has been born in us indeed, if the desire to be in the arms of Jesus is greater than our self-condemnation. To repent is nothing more than to acknowledge that I have been turned in the wrong direction, and that I want to go in the right direction. To abuse and insult myself on account of my weakness is to argue with Jesus about the mercy in His own Heart! There is no doubt that the damned argue with God, despite whatever remorse is also present.
Whether I am innocent or guilty, or someplace between, the heart of true faith strives to agree with God.
People might be disappointed, or even angry with me. But Jesus has already made the definitive statement regarding my potential and my value. I myself may not even believe in my value in God's eyes. But who am I to argue with God? The flip-side of arguing against God, saying, "Why did you make me like this?" as though He has been unfair to us is also valid: I have no right to call unworthy that which he calls worthy. That which he redeems is of incalculable value. This is no less true for ourselves as it is for anyone else.
If this is true, how wasteful is it, in the face of our sins, to say, "This is just the way I am"? If we do, we can add "liar" to whatever else accurately describes us. If the Cross shows us the extent of His love in redeeming us, we have this and other images to show His generosity, for he also said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Hope has been born in us indeed, if the desire to be in the arms of Jesus is greater than our self-condemnation. To repent is nothing more than to acknowledge that I have been turned in the wrong direction, and that I want to go in the right direction. To abuse and insult myself on account of my weakness is to argue with Jesus about the mercy in His own Heart! There is no doubt that the damned argue with God, despite whatever remorse is also present.
Whether I am innocent or guilty, or someplace between, the heart of true faith strives to agree with God.
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