Good News
It seems to be a common thing among believers in Jesus that initially, upon accepting Christ as Savior and Lord, one experiences a spiritual high, lots of joy, and a desire to share Him, but then after a few years that high wears off and we settle into a joyless Christian existence.
I KNOW this should not be so. I've often wondered why it seemed so easy in college to be passionate for Jesus, to delight in learning about Him, and to grow in the knowledge of Him. My faith was fairly new, having come to know Christ in high school, then I found a lot of joy in knowing other believers in college and taking advantage of the wonderful Christian ministries like Campus Crusade and RUF to grow in knowledge.
As life and pain and self has happened to me, this joy and passion has slowly ebbed away.
It seems that for me, part of my problem has been something called orthopraxy. It's not knowledge of God or knowledge about Him, but knowing how He and His Word applies to everything that happens to me and everything I do that will maintain my joy in relationship with Him. Where is He when really hard things happen? Where is He when a friend betrays me? Where is He when I mess up in a giant way or get into a habit of sinning continually? I think sometimes we very gradually lose faith in Him. We KNOW He is loving and trustworthy, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it. We KNOW He forgives and shows mercy, but often we are too ashamed to admit our sin. These little doubts can slowly create a big case against intimacy with Him, and we gradually latch onto other, "safer" comforts.
We are self-deceivers and every day we must trust in Jesus afresh. Our sinful nature is turn to our own way and trust in ourselves. I NEED to be in a habit of preaching the good news to myself every minute, every hour, every day. Otherwise, I believe lies.
Here is the truth about God's attitude toward us and our sin:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but that the world through Him might be SAVED." (Jn 3:16-17)
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (Jn 1:12)
"If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrightousness." (1Jn 1:9)
I've realized my view of God has slowly morphed into a disappointed, disapproving, stern Father. How opposite of God's true nature!!
Recently, a wise older woman asked me to look through a long list of true statements of God, and star the ones I had a hard time believing were true. I was afraid I was going to get into trouble for not believing the truth. I reluctantly starred the ones I had a hard time believing, fearing our next meeting. What was she going to say to me? Surely she would be so disappointed and shocked? I was fully expecting her to "bring down the hammer."
To my utter astonishment, she took the paper, and then the next time we met she had printed out a list of Scriptures that reaffirmed those good truths about God. She handed it to me with a joyful smile and said, "Heres a list to help you remember what is true about you and God." No judgment, no shame, just love and a desire for me to believe in God's love for me.
Isn't that how God is with us? So gentle and full of love. Yes, He sees our sin. But when we confess it to Him and agree with the truth that we sinned, He smiles and says, "I forgive you. Now believe you are forgiven and loved." I know it sounds too good to be true. But that is why it is called THE GOOD NEWS.
I KNOW this should not be so. I've often wondered why it seemed so easy in college to be passionate for Jesus, to delight in learning about Him, and to grow in the knowledge of Him. My faith was fairly new, having come to know Christ in high school, then I found a lot of joy in knowing other believers in college and taking advantage of the wonderful Christian ministries like Campus Crusade and RUF to grow in knowledge.
As life and pain and self has happened to me, this joy and passion has slowly ebbed away.
It seems that for me, part of my problem has been something called orthopraxy. It's not knowledge of God or knowledge about Him, but knowing how He and His Word applies to everything that happens to me and everything I do that will maintain my joy in relationship with Him. Where is He when really hard things happen? Where is He when a friend betrays me? Where is He when I mess up in a giant way or get into a habit of sinning continually? I think sometimes we very gradually lose faith in Him. We KNOW He is loving and trustworthy, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it. We KNOW He forgives and shows mercy, but often we are too ashamed to admit our sin. These little doubts can slowly create a big case against intimacy with Him, and we gradually latch onto other, "safer" comforts.
We are self-deceivers and every day we must trust in Jesus afresh. Our sinful nature is turn to our own way and trust in ourselves. I NEED to be in a habit of preaching the good news to myself every minute, every hour, every day. Otherwise, I believe lies.
Here is the truth about God's attitude toward us and our sin:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but that the world through Him might be SAVED." (Jn 3:16-17)
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." (Jn 1:12)
"If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrightousness." (1Jn 1:9)
I've realized my view of God has slowly morphed into a disappointed, disapproving, stern Father. How opposite of God's true nature!!
Recently, a wise older woman asked me to look through a long list of true statements of God, and star the ones I had a hard time believing were true. I was afraid I was going to get into trouble for not believing the truth. I reluctantly starred the ones I had a hard time believing, fearing our next meeting. What was she going to say to me? Surely she would be so disappointed and shocked? I was fully expecting her to "bring down the hammer."
To my utter astonishment, she took the paper, and then the next time we met she had printed out a list of Scriptures that reaffirmed those good truths about God. She handed it to me with a joyful smile and said, "Heres a list to help you remember what is true about you and God." No judgment, no shame, just love and a desire for me to believe in God's love for me.
Isn't that how God is with us? So gentle and full of love. Yes, He sees our sin. But when we confess it to Him and agree with the truth that we sinned, He smiles and says, "I forgive you. Now believe you are forgiven and loved." I know it sounds too good to be true. But that is why it is called THE GOOD NEWS.
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