Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and His approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.
Romans 5:1-5
Do you ever feel inadequate as a christian, like you just aren't good enough? Is there someone in your life who you are always comparing your faith to? Do you ever feel discouraged in your faith when you find yourself "messing up", or caught in a place that God would not approve of? My friends, today is the day you shall, once and for all, set yourselves free. The first sentence of this passages explains that you are right with God. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and believe that He died on the cross to save you from your sin you are made right with God. You have peace in God because of your sin being wiped away by the death of Jesus. No more should you be ashamed or carry guilty feelings but instead you should rejoice in the peace and right standing you have in Christ! There is nothing you can do to diminish God's love for you. He cannot love you for what you do or don't do. It is impossible for God to put conditions on His love for you. So, my dearest, the first thing you must hold tightly to is that You are complete in Christ the day you choose to believe.
The second part of this passage explains that being complete in Christ doesn't mean that you will have it easy, nor will you be perfect, or should you stop growing in Him. Through our troubles and "mess ups" we can learn and grow more like Him. And through our growth we also grow closer to God and learn to trust Him more. God offers us patience to make mistakes and still be counted worthy in His eyes because when we believe our acceptance is locked in.
God First Friend, remember this the next time you feel inadequate or you are beating yourself up for your mistakes and sin. Don't ever forget that you are locked in to God's great love. There is nothing you can do to loose that love. His plan for you is to give you the gift of His Spirit to enable you to grow and mature into His beautiful servant. He is not concerned with comparing you to anyone, His eye is on you. He knows your "mess ups" before they will happen therefore you can't disappoint Him. So stop beating yourself up and remember that this great thing you have with God is a beautiful gift. Only through God's amazing love and power can you be made complete in Christ and, at the same, time be encouraged to grow in Christ. Keep learning and growing!
Dear God, do not let me become discouraged in this walk. Remind me of your steadfast love when satan attempts to lie to me and tell me I'm not good enough. I am your beautiful child whom you think of every day. Your eye is on me because You adore me, not because you are trying to catch me messing up. Help me to forgive myself and to stop comparing my faith to others. I will hold on to my right standing with You and will forgive myself when I take a wrong step or fall to temptation. I believe I am good enough right now and that I am complete in Christ. I trust that my difficulties and what I learn from my mistakes will grow me closer to you and so I will boast in my troubles. Amen
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