9-5-11<\/p>\n
It is my observation that when Christians feel they have let God down, it is usually not because of some grievous sin, but more often a feeling that their faith was lacking\u2026 their trust has fallen short\u2026 that we have not put into practice what we know to be the truth. And we are aware that this grieves the heart of God.<\/p>\n
(By the way, this has been my observation, not from eagle-eye examinations of other Christians, but of my own actions and inactions.)<\/p>\n
Those feelings about the heart of God probably are correct. We have sinful natures, but God already gifted us with provisions for sin: grace, forgiveness, justification, salvation. We can know today that our sins can be transformed from scarlet stains to pure-white. But when we get to points in our lives, which we all surely have or will, when we just don\u2019t have enough faith in one area\u2026 or we cannot summon enough trust in God\u2019s promises\u2026 or we know<\/em> those Bible verses, and God\u2019s will for our lives, and Jesus\u2019s 24\/7 availability\u2026 but we don\u2019t attain the answer or victory or peace \u2013 this doesn\u2019t mean we are bad Christians.<\/p>\n It just means we are\u2026 Christians.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right. Normal, flawed, struggling, doubting, hurting, Christians. The only kind there is, actually. We might be saved, but we still can be confused at times. Sometimes our hearts are together, but our heads get messed up. Or vice-versa. Welcome to the human race. We are forgiven, not perfect\u2026 remember?<\/p>\n What grieves God, I believe, is that He does not want us to go through these things, feeling alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us, strengthen us, give us wisdom. Too many Christians, at low points, feel the need to prove<\/em> to God that we can make it. Yeah, we can pull it together. Watch: I\u2019ll remember all those promise-verses. Maybe I\u2019ll prove to my friends that my faith is getting me through. I\u2019ll make You proud of me again, God.<\/p>\n But how many Christians say, \u201cI just can\u2019t do this, God! Help me!\u201d or \u201cI surrender! I need you!!\u201d There is nothing shameful in that. Just the opposite. Christianity is the only religion in the world \u2013 in fact, the only system of any construction \u2013 where Surrender equals Victory.<\/p>\n When we were born again, we did not become Gods. We became children of God. What child, feeling sad, does not run and cry \u201cDaddy!\u201d (the translation of \u201cAbba\u201d) \u2013 and what loving father does not receive that child in love?<\/p>\n Confess, surrender, ask for forgiveness; such, I believe, is the essence of the law and the prophets. And the gospel. It is the reason, the very reason, that God makes Himself known to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. No fight left? No problem \u2013 Jesus is our yoke, our strong arm, our strength, our fortress, our deliverer. Our Savior. Would you have Him sit on the sidelines while you struggle?<\/p>\n +++<\/p>\n There is no fight left on the inside now\u2026 but maybe that\u2019s where I should be. These are words from J J Hellers\u2019s amazing song.<\/p>\n