While We Were Still Sinners

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While we were still sinners! That is a phrase that as stuck with me over the years. How could Jesus love me? That is a question that often comes to my mind. I mean – I am His and He is mine – but I haven’t always been a child of God and even now – a redeemed child of God – redeemed by His grace and mercy – I don’t always trust Him and walk in His way or will for me.

As I write this devotional – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus is playing on my computer (Amazon Music). I know what it is like to trust in Jesus. I also know what it is to seek my own will. I was talking/typing with a young person recently – and they expressed feelings of guilt when they went to church or spoke about their faith. It isn’t that they don’t have faith. They said they were saved and gave their life to Jesus – but – when they try to approach God – they feel guilty. I told them I could identify with what they were saying. I too – feel so unworthy – that He would love me. I mean – I know me better than most people do – and I know that I am not always faithful. I too feel – at all times – unworthy when I approach God.

I usually turn to several Scriptures when I feel this way. Here are a few. By-the-way – none of us are worthy – on our own to approach God.

James 4:7–10 – ⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

The Worst of Sinners

1 Timothy 1:15

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

One more day for this election season (as days of counting maybe). As we walk through this election season – both sides of the aisle are pointing fingers at each other. Each side has tried to paint the other candidate as evil – cruel – and anti-American. There are all sorts of sins and errors on both sides of the campaign. Both candidates are lacking in so many ways. It makes it hard to vote. We hear people say things like – I’m voting for integrity and character – yet neither candidate has a high grade on these it seems. I’ve gotten to the place where I’ve stated – I’m voting policies rather than personalities – because I don’t like the personality of either main candidate.

I have heard and read a number reports and articles written to Christians about this election. They go something like this – how could you vote for that candidate with his mouth if you are a Christian or if you’re a Christian – how could you vote for that candidate who favors killing babies? We could say this and that about each candidate. Some Christians are trying to convince others to vote or not to vote for either candidate.

What Is Our Mission?

Luke 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Have we ever been in need? Needed help with something in our lives? Needed help getting something moved at home – larger than we were able to move ourselves? Needed some help getting a job? Needed help getting into a certain school? Have we ever been in need? Hopefully someone came along and helped us in our need. If not – often that need went unfulfilled – unaccomplished.

Jesus came to help us in our need – our sin need. Jesus came to save the lost. Jesus came to pay the price of our sins – something we could never do alone. Jesus didn’t come for the righteous – the perfect (as if there are any). In Jesus’ day – some religious people thought they had it all together and that they didn’t need Jesus or anyone. I hope and pray none of us today have this self-image. I hope and pray that we all know we are sinners saved by grace.

Remain Faithful

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God’s grace is amazing as the song – Amazing Grace – records (isn’t that one of your favorite older hymns?).  One of the best promises in the Bible – IMHO (in my humble opinion) – is this one about the forgiveness of sins. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. Today’s passage speaks of God’s desire to forgive. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Most of us have experienced deals before – like if you do something – I will do something. As children I remember getting notes passed in school – with if you like me – I will like you. As adults we learn that if we work at a certain job – the boss will pay us a certain paycheck. I’m sure we can all come up with if you I will life experiences. We have one in today’s passage when we’re told if we confess our sins – He will forgive our sins.

And So The Fast Begins

Luke 18:13

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

So my fast begins today – as we walk through the last week of the mid-term elections. Part of my fast is to simply be encouraging rather than enter into the hateful and evil conversations that happen on social media. Everyone thinks they have the answer. Folks think their candidate or party of choice has all of the right answers. Some say the mid-terms are about how well the current POTUS is doing – yet history tells us that rarely does the party in the White House win the mid-terms. We’ll see what happens next week.

What I hope is that our nation will come together. Blue wave or red wave aside – why can’t we just love one another. There doesn’t seem to be any easy answer for sure. I clearly rebuke hate groups who support any candidate or party. I will stand up to support anyone against hate talk and abuse – even if I totally disagree with them. At times – this will be very clear and we can all stand opposed to it. At times – it may not be as clear and we may need it pointed out or to agree to disagree without being disagreeable.