I’m basically a good person. Among my friends in high school and college, I was always known as a “good girl,” never getting into much trouble, attending church, and being a good student. As a result, I have a pretty inflated view of myself. Self-righteous would be the more accurate term.
Over the past month, God has been stripping back some of the layers I’ve shrouded myself in to give me a glimpse of how He sees my heart – ugly, defiled . . . offensive. In Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry and Melvin Blackaby, they write, “We all know our mistakes, our poor choices, our ungodly thoughts, and our selfish desires. What we don’t grasp is how truly offensive that sin is to God or how to be free from that sin in order to live lives pleasing to God.”
As I’ve looked at my motives, my grumbling, and my self-righteousness, I’m finally beginning to see my sin for what it is. And what’s more, this insight has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for what Christ did for me on the cross. My sin put Him there. The wages of sin is death, and in the Father’s grace, He substituted the death of His son on my behalf. For sins that – until now – I’ve viewed lightly, as if they really weren’t a big deal. But in reality, the consequence for them was grave. The Blackabys go on to say about Satan, “When it comes to the cross and the resurrection of Christ, Satan will try to keep your focus on a body that was beaten, whipped, pierced, and crucified. He doesn’t mind you thinking about the agony of intense pain, the public humiliation, and the innocent blood that Christ shed. He isn’t bothered if you see the truth of the crucifixion – as long as you don’t notice the truth of His death.”
This Easter as I look to what was accomplished on the cross and refer to Jesus as my Savior, I carry this new insight with me. The depth of what happened when Jesus bore my sin and accepted my penalty overwhelms me. And the power of the resurrection and His invitation to be a part of His family mean so much more.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
March 3, 2008 at 10:57 am
[...] out my Writer’s Group devotionals for Lent, I encourage you to hop over. I posted today on the wages of sin. We post a new devotional every Monday, Wednesday, and [...]
March 3, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I don’t think of you as a “good girl”…just kidding. I like the transparency.
March 3, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Reminds me of Jesus’ words, about not coming for the healthy but for the sick.
March 4, 2008 at 7:15 pm
One – you’re funny.
LL – And we totally forget that we’re all sick!
March 4, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Great words, Spag.
June 14, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Yes, I am hearing the gospel,
but I hope I am chosen to be saved.
”For many are called, but few are chosen.”
MATTHEW 22: 14
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
MATTHEW 22: 1-14
June 14, 2008 at 11:32 pm
It is such a blessing that the lord open
your eyes to show you, that you are imperfect.
I can relate myself.
Poeople thought I was such a good person, because I was very quiet.
I actually bought the idea, that I was a good person, until the Lord open my eyes
into scriptures and showed me,
ROMANS 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
(have you ever heard of ‘family Radio?’
It is a bible-based christian ministry,
A world-wide broadcasting, which plays
all over the world.
http://www.familyradio.com
I also think that the lord used that ministry to spread his TRUTH around.
Besides the bible, That’s another place I’ve learned so much truth from:
My radio, which plays ‘family radio’.