Redeeming

We aren’t perfect people and sometimes it seems like the harder we try on our own, the bigger mess we make.

And some of you are thinking...

Well, gee… I didn’t need you to tell me that.

OR

You may be offended that I know you so well… ‘How dare this blog say I mess things up…’

Why say such a thing?

Because it’s true. It’s true for all humanity.

How do I know?

Because I mess things up all the time… ALL the time.

And I know plenty of other people who mess things up all the time… they’re called humans.

Sin is humanity’s biggest problem.

It messes things up pretty badly.

And it resides within us… all around us… before us… after us… destroying us.

There’s nothing we can do to get rid of it, fix it, or escape from it… nothing.

Why?

Because we add to it…daily… hourly… and for some… every minute.

It’s dangerous because it destroys and perverts the image of God within us.

The very God who created us… sin mocks, imitates, ripples, distorts…and rips it away from us.

Not that God’s image disappears in us or upon us, but that it gets clogged, drown, pushed down into blackness.

We are too worried about self image.

Too worried about self esteem.

Too worried about self actualization.

Philosophers, teachers, leaders, counselors, mentors, all tell us how important all of those things are. They remind us that we need to feel good about ourselves in order to better society.

It starts with us.

When really… it starts with God.

We are too consumed with ourselves.

Sinful, dark, messer uppers.

We begin to truly grasp and understand the concept of God’s grace of redeeming us from that sin, that darkness, those mess ups… when we begin to understand God’s grace of redeeming us from ourselves.

Redeeming us from ourselves.

How does that statement make you feel?

Are we truly ready to surrender to a God, a Savior, who is wanting to do that?

Because only in surrender can we truly be redeemed from something that is actually a part of us.

Or in us.

Or all over us.

Surrounding us.

God is interested in reshaping the world... and we're really hoping that guy will ask us to prom.

God is searching to build his church... building so that nothing can tear it down... and we are complaining our cell phones are outdated.

God has come down to create a relationship with his creation... and we are trying to create our perfect plan for our life.

God wants to redeem the entire world... to save everyone... to make disciples of ALL nations... but we are still stuck on ourselves.

We need redeeming.

As Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Do not conform to the pattern of this world... this world that screams to us to focus on us. This world that looks out for old number one before anything or anyone else.

When Jesus shows us to focus on others.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind... our mind is so powerful in creating our moods, our attitudes, our desires. Where sin sticks out the most. When we dwell on the thoughts of the heart with our mind.

God says to be renewed... be redeemed from this practice.

Our thoughts need changed...

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." -Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

Our attitude needs changed...

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" Philippians 2:5 (NIV 1984)

And what is that attitude?

"...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." -Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV)

Humility.

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

Paul experienced this idea of transformation firsthand in the early part of his life, before he even though of penning those words to the Romans or the Philippians. His story is a constant reminder…needs to be a constant reminder to us all… that NO MATTER WHAT we’ve done, or will do… No matter how far we’ve gotten off base with God, His love and grace are sufficient. God’s grace can reach the worst of us all.

 

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

-1 Timothy 1:12-17

And God’s grace is only given through one way, one truth… one man. That is Christ Jesus.

We don’t just have a ‘thing’ to hope in… we have a person. A person named Jesus Christ, God made in human likeness…

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” -1 Timothy 2:5-6

Let us hope in our savior, let us be able to rise up and say, ‘God, your grace is enough.’

Thank you for redeeming me.

Thank you for forgiving me.

Thank you for loving me.

Empower me, through your grace, that your grace is enough.

"Grace and Peace to you, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:2