Serving Rascals, Clumsy Disciples, and Physically and Mentally Ill Believers with the Unconditional Love of Jesus Christ
Very funny, but when I first saw it, I felt convicted. I remembered the many times that I was a jerk about my faith, and very annoying to many. I don’t want to get self-critical (that is spiritual quicksand) but I’m blessed to know all my sins have been forgiven, and my “good works” are not held against me.
Life in the Western Hemisphere is devoid of images like this. When you visit you are typically mesmerized by the things you see, and in actuality, it’s just normal life.
This fine picture comes from www.nationalgeographic.com. It captures a caring boy in Nepal, watching out for his siblings, and doing his errands at the same time, and that alone is remarkable!
One of my favorite cities is Chicago, IL. I like its bustle and its different neighborhoods. I came across this photo on National Geographic and wanted to share it with you.
I think what it does is put you into a completely different viewpoint. Seeing the city with a whole different set of eyes. So much of walking out our spiritual lives is vision, seeing things from His perspective.
But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. –Jude 1:21
The world does not know what to do with all our guilt. It affects every person and what we think about. Guilt is much more destructive then Hurricane Katrina ever was. People talk about being crippled by guilt. Psychiatrists have come out and said that 80% of their patients could be healed if people could resolve their guilt and their remorse for their past sins. So much drinking and drug abuse is simply trying to numb yourself, if just for a little while. Forgiving yourself is not an easy thing. We must remember that all sin committed ultimately is against Jesus, and we must put our hearts in position for grace and mercy to fill us. The Holy Spirit hovers over us, and yet He does not condemn. He is not the accuser; He is the Helper and the Comforter. The Holy Spirit convicts but He will not condemn.
Satan has a ministry–it is to accuse you before the Father. He is malicious and savage. He delights in reminding you of your sin and evil. He unceasingly pounds you. The devil has an evil plan for your life, and works continuously to implement it. Guilt and remorse are just two weapons at his disposal.
We honor God when we accept our sin, and His forgiveness. Our verse from Jude declares that we must keep ourselves in the love that God has for us. It takes intentional effort. Our guilt is heavy, so we must put it down. And then we must deliberately stand and purposefully open our outstretched arms to His forgiveness. We need to “keep ourselves in the love of God”. I get out my “spiritual nail gun” and fix myself in His love.
Guilt is like wounding ourselves. Satan pokes our wound in order irritate it. We learn to hide it from God, and others. But these things are killing us. It’s like having gangrene. And the brutal sorrow and regret consume us. I guess that is why we have Jude 1:21 in the first place.
Broken Believers 