Judea was a mess. Desolate. Desecreated. Demolished.
From the kings down to the peasants, they thought they had to "do" something so they brought offerings to the altar. Do we do the same today? Instead of repenting, we bring "service." Let's focus on child trafficking or going on mission trips or great service to make up for what really is our problem within. Alexander Solzenhitsyn replied when confronted why he was elbowing with the Communists: It is not the evil that runs between us but the evil that lies within me. We must reason in this mess we live. Together. We've never seen our own faces. Let others speak into your life. Sometime, we have no idea how we are coming across. We need each other to reflect the Glory of Christ. Shine your Light into our hearts through our family, our friends.
Isaiah 1:18
Come.
Let us reason together.
Though your skins be as scarlet.
They will be as white as snow.
We have this sin problem. I have this sin problem. I work on obedience but know it''s the heart motives and continued "besetting" sin sickness and guilt that keeps me from reflecting His Glory. I'm not nice to my husband at times. I'm not diligent with my mouth. I have an anxious heart.
ReplyDeleteBut I open the Words of Life and He speaks His love over me. He's after our hearts. And He alone chisels away the stone to create a new heart inside me, and my sins like scarlet are washed pure as snow.
Truth is, I get tripped up in my sin, or more precisely my guilt over my sin. I become a member of the walking wounded, unable to claim the victory already bought with a price. Guilt incapacitates and makes my walk ineffective.
But there is a path that leads to righteousness--either salvation is by grace alone or it's by grace plus works. He doesn't need any more burnt offerings. He desires our heart, free of sin, AND free of guilt. We can walk in victory this day because He invites us to reason with Him together, to find freedom then victory.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians (12:9)
Annette,,,beautiful words. Bev yours spoke to me also. The phrase, iron sharpening iron, popped into my head as I read Bev's post. May we all encourage one another as long as we have breath and do it daily. Fellowship and sharing His truth and how He has used it in our lives, encourages and helps others and ourselves. God is so good..and He is good all of the time. In the good and the bad HE is good. All praise to our beautiful Savior..
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