Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Little Liars vs. Rescued Children

I am sure that you have seen this video. (If you can't see it, click here.) It's been all over the inter-webs. The mom and kid have been on Ellen. Celebrating what a cute little liar he is.

 

The premise of the clip is that this boy is flat out denying what he did. He is saying right to his mom that he didn't eat any sprinkles.  

After viewing it numerous times, I am reminded how much I resemble that young boy.  For how often do I sin right in front of the Law Giver and demand - DEMAND - that I have done nothing wrong.

Oh God. "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips..." (Is. 40:31)

The amazing thing is that there are two sides to this story. For even though you and I sin numerous times (daily/hourly/minute-by-minute), our Father see's us as though we have never done anything wrong. In seeing us, He sees His Son. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Cor. 4:16)

What glorious truth. For we are the rescued children of God.
Honestly. That shakes me to the core.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Conviction AND Encouragement

The Bible study that I am attending is going through Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica.  This has been a great book.  Lots of discussion and encouragement from other guys in our group.
This morning, the verses that struck me were the following:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I have been convicted lately of how I blow things out of proportion and I don't always see the good in things.  Here, God is convicting me again to be joyful - always, to prayer, and to be thankful for all things. When I read that, I don't see room to blow things out of proportion.
I am also convinced that God is the one working in me to produce those kinds of actions. For it IS God's will that this would be done in me. In you. Paul continues that thought of sanctification in verse 24 by saying that He who called us is faithful. He will do it.

I love how the Word does that. It brings to light both our own sin and the grace of Christ to cover it.