If there is one thing that discredits the message of the Cross more than anything else, it's "Christians" behaving no differently than non-Christians. If someone were asked whether or not they thought you were a Christ follower, what would they say? If someone were to ask the same question of me, I ashamedly have to admit that they'd probably say I'm just a good person. This breaks my heart more than I can say.
Sure, I can be moral. I can refuse to curse, gossip, steal, etc. Does that make me a Christian? Not by a long shot. Refusing to behave badly doesn't save me from the just wrath of a Holy and Righteous God. It doesn't cover the punishment I DESERVE for sinning against Him.
That's why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. We had/have no hope apart from Him.
Jesus Christ lived a perfect, righteous, and sinless life, something we could never do. Then he bore the weight of our sin and just wrath of God. He took it all upon Himself so that we wouldn't have to.
If we truly understood what was done on our behalf, why wouldn't our lives reflect it? If you realized what you were saved from, the unfathomable wrath of a God you sinned against and the punishment of eternal damnation and separation from Him, the last thing you would be trying to do is lead a good life. Jesus Christ deserves SO much more than that. Even devoting our entire lives to bringing glory and honor to Him wouldn't be enough to say "thank you".
The problem I'm facing with all of this, is that I can't seem to re-ignite the passion I had when the reality of Christ's love for me first hit home.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
You know...(2)
It's even harder to not wallow in self-pity. God, help me dwell on You and not myself.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
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