Why?!

Why do I LOVE the heathens, alcoholics, drug-users, prostitutes, liars, thieves, blasphemers, gossipers, idolaters, the conniving, profane, fornicators, or those that are otherwise living wicked lives in any way?

Because of Jesus!

AND…

Why do I LOVE the gluttons, adulterers, murderers, jealous haters, back-stabbing, untrustworthy, ungrateful, stubborn, control-freak, drama queens (& kings)? Because of Jesus!

AND…

Why do I LOVE the apathetic, unbelieving, angry, unforgiving, deceitful, bullying, slothful, disrespectful, prideful, manipulative, negative, selfish, foolish, rude or mean? Because of Jesus!

AND…

Why do I choose to strive for a positive attitude, to exhibit generosity, love, hope, kindness, peace, self-control, humility, faith & joy? BECAUSE OF JESUS!!

THIS I KNOW…

I am a wretched sinner, aware of MY daily sin against a Holy, loving God...

and YET -

Jesus KNOWS my every thought, habit, hurt, and hang-up… Jesus DIED to set me FREE from every sin (past, present & future)… Jesus FORGAVE me, WASHED me CLEAN, made me NEW…

BECAUSE

Jesus loves ME… no matter what! Oh, what A SAVIOR, full of mercy & grace!! :-)

This is what is on my heart today:

I think sometimes people have a HUGE misconception that Christians are either (1) judgmental, self-righteous and hypocritical or (2) unable to understand and identify with people's struggles because of our commitment to attempt to live a holy, "cleaner" life. What everyone forgets is that we are ALL sinners, saved by GRACE through faith, and it has NOTHING to do with how "good" we are or appear to be. Now, that being said, I do believe that Christians are to strive to live a grace-filled, holy, humble life, full of love and truth.

That process takes longer for others than some, but there will be fruit evident in a believer's life that “sets them apart”. If there is no fruit and no life change, then I would venture to say there was never a heart change in the first place. The bible says “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Sobering verses for those who foolishly believe “being a good person”, “doing what’s right” or “knowing who God is” will be what gets them into heaven. The bible is also very clear that it is only through repentance and faith in Jesus that any will enter heaven. Drawn by the Holy Spirit, by GRACE, through FAITH, not of works. (Matthew 9:13, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32, Luke 13:3, John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8)

In my status, I listed every conceivable sin & heart issue I could think of that seems to be prevalent in today’s world. Some may say I left out some (i.e. homosexuality, rapists, child molesters)… but I didn’t. Those are sins of fornication, not things that cannot be overcome. People can be delivered from the bondage of ANY sin, if they trust JESUS. I love others, because I know the depth of God’s extravagant love toward me as a WRETCHED sinner, saved by His grace! It is a daily CHOICE to surrender to God’s will and not my own. I fail miserably, but because of who GOD is, and HIS faithfulness, I can be renewed, restored, and made complete. We love and obey only because He first loved us… and we are commanded to love. (1 John 4:19, John 14:15, Matthew 22:37-38)

I am no different than ANY person who has struggled or continues to struggle with sin. The difference is JESUS, and the fact that I have a personal relationship with Him and the vast majority do not. (I firmly believe in today’s world, TRUE born-again Christians are the minority.) So, what do I CHOOSE to do? I choose to FOLLOW Him, because of love, not because of duty or obligation. I choose to learn His Word, hiding it in my heart and watching as HE transforms me, by the power of HIS Holy Spirit. I choose to learn of His love for me and His desire to receive glory from every broken part of my life. I choose to love others in their sin, remembering ALL that He has delivered (& continues to deliver) me from. I KNOW what a relationship with Jesus can do to change a heart and life and want to leave a legacy that lasts into eternity, not just store up treasures on earth that will pass away one day.

I want NO-ONE who ever comes into contact with me to say on their day of judgement, “but I never knew the way to heaven, I never knew how to be forgiven, how to be spared from eternity in hell.” Sadly, I do know a lot of people who are in hell now and are headed there if they do not repent and believe. That reality breaks my heart and is the reason I will boldly proclaim His message of hope and salvation for as long as I have breath! Why? Because “The Lord is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:9-10)

So often I hear that people are hesitant to share their struggles with me because I’m a Christian and they don’t think I will understand since I no longer drink, smoke, cuss, etc., etc. But, BECAUSE I am a born-again believer, and I personally KNOW the wretchedness of EACH sin listed above, I WANT to hear about what people are struggling with… not to judge or condemn, but to understand and LOVE them through it, offering them a HOPE and secure future, one that can ONLY be found in Jesus!

Please, make no mistake, God HATES sin, but He dearly LOVES the sinner. Our sin has consequences (that we do NOT get to choose), but praise the Lord, for His abundant love, mercy and grace! He longs to set us FREE, make us NEW, and give us a brand-new start! My prayer today and every day is that we repent and believe, trusting Him to restore and mend our hearts, bringing Him much honor, glory & praise in EVERY situation! :)