A friend of mine hates Christianity because it is a ‘guilt-ridden’ religion. But it is completely the opposite! However, in my worst week of the month, my sin is always before me. If I don’t take my thoughts captive, they will beat me to a pulp. I know this is not the Holy Spirit’s intention in convicting me!
Strangely, I AM grateful for the times that I am aware of my sinfulness. Why? 4 reasons:
1) Greater awareness of our sinfulness is actually a sign of spiritual growth. As we become more aware of God’s goodness, holiness, and perfectness, the things that are wrong in our lives grow uglier by contrast. The Spirit slowly reveals our sins when He believes we are ready to deal with them. Even if I feel like I sin more than I did 20 years ago, if I had a sinfulness meter, surely I sin less now than I did then? Because of grace, I have no need for a sinfulness meter or to allow my sin to burden me.
2) My sin is a continual reminder to me that I am always in need of the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life for my righteousness and died a perfect death for my sins. When I hear the gospel, it is for me, right now -- not just for unbelievers or those who have just stepped through the door to begin their journey as a Christ follower. The gospel is for me, today, 34 years after I first received it. It is as powerful in my life now as when I first became His child.
3) I am reminded of His amazing grace and the freedom I experience as a result. The Father sees Jesus in me and He sees me as perfect. He is transforming me so that someday on the other side of this life, I WILL be perfect. There is no amount of striving I can do to make myself more acceptable to Him. Yet because of the grace, freedom, and love that come from Him, I want to follow His ways and love Him with my whole being.
4) When other people make mistakes, cause accidents, or upset me, I realize that I am not faultless either. In fact, only by the grace of God I stand, and I can offer others mercy and forgiveness because I have already received it in the fullest measure.
I will get to enjoy these benefits of my sinfulness on this side of heaven, but on the other side I will be perfected and enjoy all the benefits without it!
Thank you for our kind words on my blog, Paula. Such a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteChristianity is not guilt-ridden, it is sin revealing, and that usually is not a comfort zone for most people. The recognition of sin results in guilty feelings and understanding the burden of it, which was previously hidden yet always there.
However, even if it was a just guilt-ridden religion, as your friend fears, I would point out that it takes far more courage to examine the sin that keeps us so far apart from God and take the opportunity to ask for forgiveness than it does to just denounce sin so one can live in the illusion of a guilt-free comfort zone. People who use this excuse against Christianity, not only do not understand it but fear acknowledging their own sins far more than missing the opportunity to know their God. Very sad.
God has been helping me with #4. It is amazing how much more graceful I am becoming with others since I realize how much I am in need of His grace. I heard a wise person say once, "You can't give what you don't have." I have recieved His grace and now I can give it to others.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Tammy
My oldest son would say that "religion" makes Christianity "guilt-ridden." Living in unconditional love creates a guilt-ridden mentality. I love how you separate guilt from sin like lemon juice from pulp - to show that recognition of sin is a chance to grow closer to God. Beautiful, gentle, shepherding post! So glad I stopped by.
ReplyDeleteAmen, so true, what will we do without his grace. I am constantly falling, but his grace is always catching me:)
ReplyDeleteDear Paula,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, Eternity Cafe. So great to make new cyber-friends.
And such a great post here. Great way to look at the sin that plagues us and can discourage us if we focus on it, rather than on the One who brings us grace, peace, forgiveness, and victory.
Blessings,
Susan
All very good points Paula. All I can certainly benefit and am working on. Appreciate you sharing. Thank you and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeletenumber 3. that one has been 18 years in the learning for me. no striving of mine will make him love me more. nothing i can do of my own to earn His forgiveness and grace. it is free. LOVED this post!!
ReplyDeleteChristianity can't be guilt-ridden when there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. My sinful condition is the chisel God uses to hone me and create me to be a bit more like Jesus in thought, word and deed. There is such freedom in understanding that through this honing process I am never condemned, just loved.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog Paula. May the Holy Spirit use it to draw all hearts toward 'freedom'.
Thank you for sharing Paula. Blessings.
ReplyDelete