Absolutely no excuses

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:19-22)

No one can be made right with God - except by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. No other road to redemption exists. No amount of self-help will truly 'help' us behave with a truly righteous heart. The 'law' may point out where we need help, but we are powerless to 'help' ourselves - we have to trust in Jesus to truly make our hearts new. God has shown us the way, but we seem to want our own way, don't we? We want it both ways - a little bit of the good stuff that comes from welcoming Christ into our lives, and a bit of the naughty stuff that comes from welcoming sin into it! 

All of us will fall short of what God has prepared for us until we truthfully acknowledge that we have been wanting to retain control over our lives, just allowing God to 'dabble' in a few areas that aren't all that 'threatening' to our desires. We need to do more than allow God to 'dabble' in our lives - we need to surrender full control. If you have ever asked God for forgiveness because of something you did, then gone out and 'recommitted' the same faux pas again, you are probably still assuming 'first seat' in your own life.

Do you know what a faux pas really is? It is a 'false step' - one that truly cannot be trusted, without sure footing at all, and which will likely end in harm of some sort. It is really a financial term first having to do with defaulting on a loan, but it certainly describes our actions on occasion, doesn't it? We 'default' on our intentions to keep Christ first in our lives. We take that 'false step' in our own willful disobedience, thinking we can 'manage' the temptation or situation ourselves. If all goes well, we breathe a sigh of relief. If not, we take a load of guilt right back to God's throne, ask for forgiveness, and commit to never doing it again. 

Truth be told, we cannot 'manage' our lives all that well. We aren't equipped to live without taking 'false steps' in our own power. We need to turn to the leadership of our lives over to Christ - not taking it back whenever we feel confident in our own 'self-ability'. No matter how determined we are to do well, we need his help to actually 'do well' each and every time we take a step. Just sayin!

Love God?

Jesus answered, “All who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them. My Father and I will come to them and live with them." (John 14:23)

Love Jesus? Then we will obey ALL of his teachings. Love Jesus? Then we can be assured of his heavenly Father's love for us, as well. Love Jesus? He dwells within you and is ever-present with you through all of life's journeys. We probably live somewhere between totally believing these things and 'kinda' believing them (in a selective way). The more 'selective' we are in believing these truths, the more we will struggle with understanding and living within God's love.

God isn't selective in who he loves. He loves the whole world - even those who don't know him yet. He provides for their salvation - even though they don't realize they need it. He pursues them with his intense love - even though they have no idea they are 'under pursuit'. If God isn't 'selective' in his love, then how can we 'discount' his love toward us? We cannot! His love embraces us - his Son's shed blood redeems us. The more we trust those words, the more we draw near to his heart. 

Love leads to obedience - not begrudgingly because we feel 'we have to' be obedient, but as an act of demonstrated love toward him. Love is best demonstrated - just as God demonstrated it to the world by sending Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for mankind's sins. We demonstrate our love for God in our actions of willing obedience. Is it always easy to take these actions? Sometimes it is, but there are times when an act of obedience might conflict a bit with our pride or 'heart desire'. When that happens, we might just struggle with those steps of obedience God asks of us. Does this surprise him? No, because he is using that request for obedience as a way of showing us where we are still holding onto something he wants us to let go of!

When God asks us to let go of something that is a 'heart desire' or a matter of our own selfish pride, is he being unjust? Not at all. He is being a loving father that looks out for the best interests of his child. There is question he loves us immensely - there should also be no question he knows exactly what we need to become the best we can be! Just sayin!