People Bondage
If you're anything like me, there has been so many times that you've clung to Christ to live according to His word, and there has been just as many times that you've failed. When this happens too many times, we begin to have a "what's the point?' mentality! Instead of running to God in our weakest moments, we give up on our walk, we throw in the towel, and we ultimately give up on God.
Personally, I have run to Christ AND run from Christ more times than I'd like to admit. But He knows this already, so why not share with you all?
I know that I have a calling on my life and Christ has an assignment for me to complete during my time here on earth, just like you do! So I've had moments when I feel convicted and ashamed of the way I've been living my life and I run to God in tears looking for help, looking for my Savior; which results in peace, comfort, and forgiveness every. single. time.
Once this redemption takes place, we feel the best we've ever felt!! We're refreshed, renewed, and ready to live for God and do it seriously this time, right? But something happens at this point that a lot of us don't deal with correctly, and I'll be the first one to admit to it! You may not want people to see how excited you are about Christ or you might be a little embarrassed to say that you're saved now because, c'mon, your peers, friends, and family know how you used to be back in the day! Your friends have seen you party and hook up with people, and your family knows first hand how angry and defiant you once were, right? Honestly, who would take you seriously as a Christian if you were to share the gospel?
JESUS CHRIST WOULD!
When you confess your sins unto the Lord and repent for all the wrong you have done against Him, every sin is washed away into non-existence. Every. Single. One. So if God doesn't remind us of our sins, then why do we let people hold our past against us? Why do we care how man sees us if we're new creatures in our Heavenly Father's eyes?
Our creator says that through faith we are saved and born again as NEW creatures! Our old, sinful, partying, hooking up, angry, helpless self has died along with our sins when we're in Christ so the version of you that others try and remind you of doesn't even exist anymore thanks to God's grace! There is nothing embarrassing or shameful about sharing the gospel and telling your story!! I have made a lot of mistakes , some being very recent. I have failed at living for Christ so many times; But it is Christ's desire to see us get up and brush ourselves off every time we fall short. He wants us to run to Him every time we fail, instead of running away from Him. Christ wants us to keep trying so that we will get better and grow stronger as a part of the body of Christ!
So you know what? That is exactly what I am going to do, and so should you!
Don't let people tell you who you are or who you're meant to be because of what you've done. Tell them that you are forgiven and are a new creature through Christ, so the past is dead and gone and your focus is on Christ, not your past! We are not perfect, but we are loved and saved by a perfect, blameless Savior who sets an example for us and that alone should make us want to never give up on our walk with Christ.
You're so loved,
Erica