Saturday April 30, 2005

Christians… mini-me and the learning of the art of sin-eating…

A light does not change regardless of whose presence it is currently among. The sun shines on both the wicked and the righteous. A christian is a follower of a God of love, mercy & grace. Jesus gave up his life and followed God’s will all the way to the cross. The one who lived a most righteous life, perfectly in all ways… gave himself over into God’s hand and walked the path of grace-giving…

Many of us will admit to being christians, but how many of us will say that we will bleed and die for our enemies. Isn’t that what Christ has done? He died for us while we were yet sinners. The cross is not about my ability to avoid sin. The cross doesn’t tell me that if I do good… I will get earthly rewards. The cross clearly tells another story.  Jesus tells me to take up my cross and follow Him. To live out my life as a giver of grace, mercy & love to both friend and enemy alike. (Luke 23:34)

The strange thing about grace, mercy & love. You cannot purchase or earn any of these. Perhaps you think otherwise, but really, who thinks they can buy love? Don’t give me that four-letter word that people throw around nowadays. I’m talking about the kind of love that would drive a person to die for you. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

When I have wronged God, I get mercy and love. I get forgiveness and loving discipline. Is there anything I can do to add to this? Can I ever add to Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf? doubtful. There is nothing but a mixture of sorrow over my own brokeness and praise for a God who is too good to me, too much for a sinner like me. What kind of heart does God have? What about my own?

As God’s mercy and love rains down on me, I recall that my brother has wronged me. But I have wronged God plenty and still he welcomes me back… knowing full well what kind of person I am… knowing what kind of heart I have. I must do no less for those around me. My cross is to bear the wrongs given to me by my fellow sinner and return only goodness. Never to repay evil with evil, but to repay evil with good. And my life will become a sign to those who know me… a sign… a witness that points to the cross of my Savior and my Lord.

Dad. It is not an easy path you have set before us. But it does lead our hearts back to you. I always think I know what goes on in other people’s hearts, but I don’t even know all the time what goes on in my own heart. But I know of the sins I have committed against you. Your love and your grace blow my mind. Forgive me again. I drive the nails further in. I am not innocent, but cover over my sins as I forgive those who sin against me. Help me to pray for those who give me trouble. May my life be a clear sign to You and to the path of life. Thank you for a way back home. Thank you for [One Way] and all these brothers & sisters. Thank you for the many blessings that I cannot even count. Transform my heart. I know that revival can only start from within. It seems I’m lost again. Come and find me, you know where I am. I ask these things in the one name where hope died and came back, Jesus. Amen.

== EDIT ==

I found out I have no tolerance for watching movies anymore… gah! What’s wrong with me???