The grace of God is a big deal because sin is a big deal! Without the magnitude of sin there would be no need for magnificent grace. I know how I can take sin lightly because, I mean hey, God has forgiven me, right? Well, yes he has but that doesn't excuse us to frivolously indulge ourselves in the things of this world. We are called to be set apart; to be image bearers of Christ; to remain unstained from this world.
Also, I think about the love Christ has for us and how that love should naturally flow from us in joyful obedience if we are truly one of his children. How does his love not captivate us to flee from sin. Seriously, guys!!! Does his love not just completely blow you away!?!? There is seriously nothing greater and yet we find ourselves continually finding joy in sin and not the redeeming work of Christ. Take up your cross. Lay yourself down at the feet of Jesus and cry out for mercy. Praise him and thank him for his saving work on the cross.
I was reading Isaiah chapter one and God is not sparing our feelings when he says, "wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong.." This passage shows God's complete disgust with the people. He says, "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.... Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him." He continues talking about their corruption and rebukes their sacrifices and offerings. He challenges them, "The multitude of your sacrifices__what are they to me?" God certainly doesn't need anything from us so these offerings they gave him in vain were detestable to him. This seems pretty harsh but I am not making it up. Verses 13 through 17 really shook me up. Read this and don't take it lightly.
"Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations__ I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood..."
Many of you have probably only been taught how loving and kind God is and have failed to understand why he is so loving. This probably doesn't sound like the loving God you were brought up to know but just wait!!! This is where you see his love and I think it will mean that much more to you now than it ever has before.
"Come now, let us reason together... Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword."
"I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross (unwanted material or waste product) and remove all your impurities."
His love has never changed. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow but I think it is important to know how God feels about sin. It makes his grace all the more sweeter. Knowing how great our sin is and how desperate we are in need of a savior highlights just how wonderful, powerful, loving, magnificent and kind God is. He was so in love with us filthy, dirty, disgusting rags that he sent his pure, blameless, holy son, Jesus Christ, to die and bear the wrath that should have been ours. A perfect sacrifice was made; the final price was paid. We were bought with his blood. We belong to him forever. It is finished! and it is Only By Grace!! See what I did there?!? haha
Also, I think about the love Christ has for us and how that love should naturally flow from us in joyful obedience if we are truly one of his children. How does his love not captivate us to flee from sin. Seriously, guys!!! Does his love not just completely blow you away!?!? There is seriously nothing greater and yet we find ourselves continually finding joy in sin and not the redeeming work of Christ. Take up your cross. Lay yourself down at the feet of Jesus and cry out for mercy. Praise him and thank him for his saving work on the cross.
I was reading Isaiah chapter one and God is not sparing our feelings when he says, "wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong.." This passage shows God's complete disgust with the people. He says, "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.... Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him." He continues talking about their corruption and rebukes their sacrifices and offerings. He challenges them, "The multitude of your sacrifices__what are they to me?" God certainly doesn't need anything from us so these offerings they gave him in vain were detestable to him. This seems pretty harsh but I am not making it up. Verses 13 through 17 really shook me up. Read this and don't take it lightly.
"Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations__ I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood..."
Many of you have probably only been taught how loving and kind God is and have failed to understand why he is so loving. This probably doesn't sound like the loving God you were brought up to know but just wait!!! This is where you see his love and I think it will mean that much more to you now than it ever has before.
"Come now, let us reason together... Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword."
"I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross (unwanted material or waste product) and remove all your impurities."
His love has never changed. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow but I think it is important to know how God feels about sin. It makes his grace all the more sweeter. Knowing how great our sin is and how desperate we are in need of a savior highlights just how wonderful, powerful, loving, magnificent and kind God is. He was so in love with us filthy, dirty, disgusting rags that he sent his pure, blameless, holy son, Jesus Christ, to die and bear the wrath that should have been ours. A perfect sacrifice was made; the final price was paid. We were bought with his blood. We belong to him forever. It is finished! and it is Only By Grace!! See what I did there?!? haha
