It's true. I'm guilty.
The world is filled with people wanting to blame someone. People wanting to justify their actions while condemning those around them. People who get a rise out of offending someone who thinks differently than them. People who want to be heard. People who want attention.
It would be so easy to make this post about those people. I could bring to light many issues and how those people should change. I could write about how many of those people have been proud or unkind. But I am those people. In this post, I will abstain from referencing anyone but myself because I need God to search my heart before I ever even begin to try to look at others' hearts.
I've been thinking and praying about this a lot lately. I thought about what it would sound like if I replaced every "You/They" with "I" when I have a thought about how someone else should change their words or actions.
And perhaps the most gut-wrenching to me... I SAY I am a Christian.
Sounds a little different, right? When I think about the sin of my own life, it's hard to fathom where this awful pride comes from.
I've lied to many.
I've gossiped with friends.
I've smoked and drank, sometimes in large quantities.
I was sexually active, even before my first marriage.
I've been divorced.
I've thought I was smarter than other people.
I've cheated.
I've been disrespectful.
I've relied on my own strength (MANY times).
I've used profanity.
I've laughed at jokes and stories that either have sinful subject matter or belittle others.
The list can go on and on. The Bible says, "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10)
This list of sin should be a daily reminder of the goodness of my Savior. Of His unfailing love and the immeasurable grace He's given me. It should remind me of the chains I wore. The pit I was in. It should remind me of the prayers for someone so undeserving. It should remind me of all the sweet people brought into my life that helped show me the way back to Christ. It should make me think back on the all the times I tried and tried...but failed.
Many times I've gone back to a verse that my mom had us memorize at an early age:
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37
It's Him. It's not me. I don't overcome sin by myself. It's only by His grace and strength that I am able, and every time I choose to sin with my words or actions, I'm choosing to "...crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:6)
I need Him to search my heart. I MUST die daily. Only then will I be able to see others the way God sees them. Only then will I be able to show His love to a hurting and lost world. Only then will He be truly glorified.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8
Blessings,
Abby
The world is filled with people wanting to blame someone. People wanting to justify their actions while condemning those around them. People who get a rise out of offending someone who thinks differently than them. People who want to be heard. People who want attention.
It would be so easy to make this post about those people. I could bring to light many issues and how those people should change. I could write about how many of those people have been proud or unkind. But I am those people. In this post, I will abstain from referencing anyone but myself because I need God to search my heart before I ever even begin to try to look at others' hearts.
I've been thinking and praying about this a lot lately. I thought about what it would sound like if I replaced every "You/They" with "I" when I have a thought about how someone else should change their words or actions.
- I SHOULD have compassion.
- I SHOULDN'T condemn others.
- I SHOULD think about what I'm saying before I say it.
- I SHOULD care more about others than myself.
- I THINK I know it all.
- Who do I THINK I am?
- Why can't I SEE through their eyes?
And perhaps the most gut-wrenching to me... I SAY I am a Christian.
Sounds a little different, right? When I think about the sin of my own life, it's hard to fathom where this awful pride comes from.
I've lied to many.
I've gossiped with friends.
I've smoked and drank, sometimes in large quantities.
I was sexually active, even before my first marriage.
I've been divorced.
I've thought I was smarter than other people.
I've cheated.
I've been disrespectful.
I've relied on my own strength (MANY times).
I've used profanity.
I've laughed at jokes and stories that either have sinful subject matter or belittle others.
The list can go on and on. The Bible says, "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10)
This list of sin should be a daily reminder of the goodness of my Savior. Of His unfailing love and the immeasurable grace He's given me. It should remind me of the chains I wore. The pit I was in. It should remind me of the prayers for someone so undeserving. It should remind me of all the sweet people brought into my life that helped show me the way back to Christ. It should make me think back on the all the times I tried and tried...but failed.
Many times I've gone back to a verse that my mom had us memorize at an early age:
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37
It's Him. It's not me. I don't overcome sin by myself. It's only by His grace and strength that I am able, and every time I choose to sin with my words or actions, I'm choosing to "...crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:6)
I need Him to search my heart. I MUST die daily. Only then will I be able to see others the way God sees them. Only then will I be able to show His love to a hurting and lost world. Only then will He be truly glorified.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8
Blessings,
Abby