Friday, March 9, 2012
If I could summarize what God has been teaching me the past few months in one phrase, it would be "Grow up." Usually, when someone says this, it's with a sarcastic tone, probably with a rolling of the eyes. I hope that God would show more patience with me than that, though. There seems to be a lot of areas of my life that God is revealing to me that I need to act more maturely in. And it has not been easy. In fact, it's been a lot of fighting with myself and the desire to kick and scream and stomp and say, "No! I don't want to grow up! I don't want to act mature! I want to do what I want to do! I want to hold on to my grudge! I want people to feel sorry for me! I want to be recognized and taken care of! I, I, I! Me, me, me!" And yet, God has calmly and patiently guided me to recognize that, indeed, I need to grow up and act mature. I cannot act like a child anymore.
One area that I have found myself returning to over and over again most recently is forgiveness. Never before has it been such a battle to let things go! Or, perhaps never before have I been willing to battle. Either way, it is not an easy fight. I think the hardest part has been discerning what I am allowed to feel and I really do need to let go of. Because, honestly, I want to feel bitter and angry and wronged. I want people to know that I hurt. How could it possibly be fair to just drop things and move on!? And yet, that seems to be exactly what God says to do. I keep telling Him over and over again, "But, God! This isn't fair! Why should I be the bigger person!? My feelings were hurt, too! Can't I just hold onto this for a little while longer!?" But His response is the same every. single. time. "Elizabeth, remember what I did for you? Remember how I forgave? How many times have you disobeyed Me, blasphemed Me, disowned Me, wronged Me? And did I hold on to a grudge? When you came and apologized, did I reject your words because it wasn't fair? No. I accepted your sincerity of heart, I took you back, and I said, 'let's move forward from here.'" Dang it. I know He's right, but it doesn't make it any easier a lesson to learn. I guess that's why I'm so frustrated with myself. God has forgiven me of so much, and here I am struggling to forgive the littlest of wrongs.
In class a couple of weeks ago, we were examining the recorded prayers of Christ in the New Testament. After being betrayed my one of his closest followers, unjustly tried, beaten until he was unrecognizable, mocked, and nailed to a cross to die, it is recorded in Luke 23:34 that Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Forgive them? The God-Man was asking His Father to forgive them!? After reading this verse, my professor wisely stated that, "the key to forgiveness is identification with Christ." If Jesus, who has done no wrong was able to forgive the greatest wrong ever committed, how much more so should I, then, as someone who deserves at least some wrong, be willing to forgive someone else? Gah! So true, but so hard!
Recently, I was studying the word "philos," or "friend" in the New Testament. More specifically, I was studying Jesus as a friend. It was a really interesting study. John 15:13 is probably a pretty familiar verse to many of us. In it, Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." I think , a lot of times, we almost use this verse out of context. We say, "I am a friend of God!" (which I don't think we would say so casually upon reading verse 14) and we almost take it as an encouragement that Jesus thinks so highly of us. But, on further study, I think we should instead be convicted that Jesus would think so highly of us. Another popularly quoted scripture is Romans 5:8. I can't believe, though, that we don't include verses 6 and 7 with it! I'm not sure if I've talked about these verses before, but they're just so good, so even if I have, let's read them again: "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When Christ died for me, I wasn't His friend. I was His enemy! I was completely against Him! And still, as John 15 says, He loved me with the greatest love a friend could have.
I guess the reason I am sharing these passages is because, recently, I've struggled to forgive those who I love. Those people who I consider my friends. And yet, Christ was willing to love and forgive me even when I was His enemy. Again, the key to love and forgiveness is identification with Christ. I hate that I have had such a hard time with this. I feel so silly struggling to forgive when Christ forgave so much more than I will ever have to. I don't want to grow up. But, knowing Christ and the length that He went through so that I could have a restored relationship with Him, I am compelled to.
One area that I have found myself returning to over and over again most recently is forgiveness. Never before has it been such a battle to let things go! Or, perhaps never before have I been willing to battle. Either way, it is not an easy fight. I think the hardest part has been discerning what I am allowed to feel and I really do need to let go of. Because, honestly, I want to feel bitter and angry and wronged. I want people to know that I hurt. How could it possibly be fair to just drop things and move on!? And yet, that seems to be exactly what God says to do. I keep telling Him over and over again, "But, God! This isn't fair! Why should I be the bigger person!? My feelings were hurt, too! Can't I just hold onto this for a little while longer!?" But His response is the same every. single. time. "Elizabeth, remember what I did for you? Remember how I forgave? How many times have you disobeyed Me, blasphemed Me, disowned Me, wronged Me? And did I hold on to a grudge? When you came and apologized, did I reject your words because it wasn't fair? No. I accepted your sincerity of heart, I took you back, and I said, 'let's move forward from here.'" Dang it. I know He's right, but it doesn't make it any easier a lesson to learn. I guess that's why I'm so frustrated with myself. God has forgiven me of so much, and here I am struggling to forgive the littlest of wrongs.
In class a couple of weeks ago, we were examining the recorded prayers of Christ in the New Testament. After being betrayed my one of his closest followers, unjustly tried, beaten until he was unrecognizable, mocked, and nailed to a cross to die, it is recorded in Luke 23:34 that Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Forgive them? The God-Man was asking His Father to forgive them!? After reading this verse, my professor wisely stated that, "the key to forgiveness is identification with Christ." If Jesus, who has done no wrong was able to forgive the greatest wrong ever committed, how much more so should I, then, as someone who deserves at least some wrong, be willing to forgive someone else? Gah! So true, but so hard!
Recently, I was studying the word "philos," or "friend" in the New Testament. More specifically, I was studying Jesus as a friend. It was a really interesting study. John 15:13 is probably a pretty familiar verse to many of us. In it, Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." I think , a lot of times, we almost use this verse out of context. We say, "I am a friend of God!" (which I don't think we would say so casually upon reading verse 14) and we almost take it as an encouragement that Jesus thinks so highly of us. But, on further study, I think we should instead be convicted that Jesus would think so highly of us. Another popularly quoted scripture is Romans 5:8. I can't believe, though, that we don't include verses 6 and 7 with it! I'm not sure if I've talked about these verses before, but they're just so good, so even if I have, let's read them again: "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When Christ died for me, I wasn't His friend. I was His enemy! I was completely against Him! And still, as John 15 says, He loved me with the greatest love a friend could have.
I guess the reason I am sharing these passages is because, recently, I've struggled to forgive those who I love. Those people who I consider my friends. And yet, Christ was willing to love and forgive me even when I was His enemy. Again, the key to love and forgiveness is identification with Christ. I hate that I have had such a hard time with this. I feel so silly struggling to forgive when Christ forgave so much more than I will ever have to. I don't want to grow up. But, knowing Christ and the length that He went through so that I could have a restored relationship with Him, I am compelled to.
Friday, February 17, 2012
My professor played this video for us the other night in our class. If you haven't read David Wilkerson's book, The Cross and the Switchblade, then you are totally missing out. It is an amazing story of God's mighty power working through an obedient man to drastically change lives. It is by far one of my favorite books. (That fact alone should be reason enough for you to go find a copy right now and read it.) I have a lot of respect for everything that this man accomplished in his lifetime.
This has been Missions Emphasis Week here at school. I love this time of the semester. There is a school wide excitement about the work that God is doing around the world as missionaries from 60 agencies come and share with students the opportunities they provide among the nations. Gah! So cool! The theme of this week's MEW is {un}reached. My roommate and I have been doing research leading up to this week on the unreached peoples of the world Here are some of the facts that we found, according to the Joshua Project:
- There are over 6,900 unreached people groups in the world. That's 41% of all of the people groups in the world.
- 5,900 of these 6,900 peoples are located in restricted access areas.
- About 2,100 groups still have not had any Bible translation work done in their language.
- Over 86% of the world's Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists have never met a Christ follower.
- The countries with the most unreached groups are: India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
I have been so convicted learning all of these things of God and of His precious, precious creation. People are dying because they don't know Him. Let me say that again: People are dying. And here I am, attending the world's largest evangelical Christian college, attending weekly worship services, living comfortably in my Christian life, and regularly abusing God's grace. Lord, What am I doing here!? These past few weeks, I have become so restless where I am at, knowing that there are lives at stake. Did you know that, if you view 5 people in the world per second who don't know Christ as their Savior, it would take roughly 35 years to view them all? 35 years! I am in anguish over their lives, and I don't know what to do. The task is so great, and I am so small. God, when can I go? Where do I begin? I know that it is God's work and not mine, but has He not chosen us? How can I, as someone who has a personal relationship with a holy God, be satisfied and comfortable with where I am at? I guess there are a few things that I am struggling through right now:
How do I maintain a sense of agony for the nations? It is draining. Spiritually, emotionally and physically exhausting. Is it something to be held on to? Is it meant for just a season? Nehemiah says, "So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven." But when did he exit this time of anguish? Was it after the initial shock? Was it after the king sent Him back home? Was it when the work was completed? I don't know.
What am I supposed to do? I know that I am called to stay here for a time (or, at least I think that I know that), but what am I supposed to do while I'm here? I guess I know a part of the answer. I have learned a lot about prayer this semester. I think that, a lot of times, we kind of add prayer as an appendix to everything God really desires from us. We think we have to do this and accomplish that, and handle such-and-such in this manner, and, oh yeah, we should pray, too. Yet the ability to come before God- the creator and master of all things- with not only praise, but with petitions and requests is matchless. He holds all power, so why wouldn't we come before Him in prayer in everything we do? But, beyond that, beyond prayer, should I be doing something else?
Lastly, I am struggling being content with where God has me right now. It is so easy to catch a glance of the big picture and find everything about where I am right now completely meaningless, but this is not true. There are people who are just as lost living here. I am called to be a witness first to my Jerusalem. So, how do I balance a desire to go out and a contentment with staying here? Gah! Balance! Why does it have to be so hard!?
God,
I am so humbled by the place You have brought me to. I am such a small part in Your plan. Still, You desire to use me. I pray that I would not lose my passion for Your people, but that my burning desire for all nations to come to know You would only swell, and I pray that You would sustain me as my burden for them grows. Give me discernment to know where You are calling me, and a contentment wherever that may be; yet, do not allow my contentment to turn into complacency. God, hear my prayer for Your people. Do a great work among them, that they may know Your truth, and that Your truth may set them free. I'm not sure what else to say. See the sincerity of my heart, even when words fail. Hear my request on their behalves and honor it. These things I ask in humility and in faith in You, trusting in Your plan above my own. Amen.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Here is my longing: to know and follow You.
But sometimes in my flesh, I find that it's not true.
Instead, what I desire most is to indulge myself.
So knowingly I place you in the corner of the top shelf.
I thought that in my running I would find satisfaction.
Yet what I found instead was merely a distraction
from what matters most and what I should pursue.
Lord, forgive me. I'm running back to you.
In You, and only You, I can find life abundant.
Still my pattern of sin has become quite redundant.
And though, for a moment, I thought that I was happy,what I found in reality was that rebelling just felt crappy.
a building in the sand too easily destructed.
Destroy this facade that for myself I've built.
And in its place construct a fortress free from any guilt.
Hear my prayer, O God, and change the heart of me.
Til there is nothing left to see of me and only Thee.
Forgive the pattern of my sin and set this prisoner free.
To be running in pursuit of You is where I want to be.
Friday, January 20, 2012
*Disclamer: Ok, so I wrote this a long while ago, but I've been too embarrassed to post it. I will be the first to admit that I am no Frost or Thoreau. My rhyming scheme is unambitious and my meter is non-existent. Yet in the time that I wrote this I was really aching and lonely, and this seemed to be an appropriate way to express myself. You know, like when a little kid draws a picture and to you it looks like the crayon box puked on the page, but they are completely satisfied with the masterpiece they created? That's what this is. I only give this disclamer to say please don't judge my skills or lack thereof. I only share this because I want to be open and honest about how God has worked in my life, including in my time of aching.
Speak to me, God!
Words I do not know.
Condemnation,
Exhortation,
Your judgment,
Your mercy-
Anything to tell me
that I am not alone.
I need to hear from you, God!
Let me know that You are near.
Wrap your arms around me tightly,
Because I'm shaking with fear!
Fear of the future,
Guilt from the past,
Worries and regrets,
Pain,
Frustration,
Bitterness;
God, how am I supposed to cope with all of this!?
I can't do this myself!
I need You to lift me up!
I need to hear your voice!
I need You to fill my cup!
God, You are my Provider,
my Sufficiency,
my Lord,
my Infinate Maker,
my Intimate Savior,
my Rock,
my Shield,
my Eternal Reward.
So I will trust in You, God,
and I will praise Your name.
No matter my circumstance:
Burnt-out or aflame.
You are still God,
and You are still good.
This is enough for me.
I am nothing but Your creation,
Your vessle,
Your tool.
Do what You will with me.
I don't understand why I'm here,
Why I struggle to hear You call,
But I trust that if I keep seaching,
You will draw near after all.
So I will continue searching,
Calling,
Reaching,
Crying to You.
God, please don't fail me.
I need to hear from You.
Speak to me, God!
Words I do not know.
Condemnation,
Exhortation,
Your judgment,
Your mercy-
Anything to tell me
that I am not alone.
I need to hear from you, God!
Let me know that You are near.
Wrap your arms around me tightly,
Because I'm shaking with fear!
Fear of the future,
Guilt from the past,
Worries and regrets,
Pain,
Frustration,
Bitterness;
God, how am I supposed to cope with all of this!?
I can't do this myself!
I need You to lift me up!
I need to hear your voice!
I need You to fill my cup!
God, You are my Provider,
my Sufficiency,
my Lord,
my Infinate Maker,
my Intimate Savior,
my Rock,
my Shield,
my Eternal Reward.
So I will trust in You, God,
and I will praise Your name.
No matter my circumstance:
Burnt-out or aflame.
You are still God,
and You are still good.
This is enough for me.
I am nothing but Your creation,
Your vessle,
Your tool.
Do what You will with me.
I don't understand why I'm here,
Why I struggle to hear You call,
But I trust that if I keep seaching,
You will draw near after all.
So I will continue searching,
Calling,
Reaching,
Crying to You.
God, please don't fail me.
I need to hear from You.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but being one of three siblings, my brothers and I very much fit the stereotype for birth order. And, being the oldest, that makes me the good, responsible one. That also makes me very competitive. I need to be good. Along with that also comes a great load of guilt when I find that I am not good, which, when examining myself in light of who God is, is an awful lot. I know that I said in my last post that it's been a difficult semester, and this is true. There have been a lot of changes and challenges, but there is another reason this semester has been difficult. I've been learning a lot about sin lately. Not only have I been more aware of sin in my life, but I've been reading a lot about God's response to sin, and I'm struggling to find the balance between guilt and conviction.
I've been reading through Romans and Hosea, which is so cool. Doing so, I have learned a lot about the gospel. I've also finished reading 2 Kings, which has also fit in well with what I've been learning. So, really for my own benefit, I would like to just simply go through what I've been reading and learning. So, here we go!
Let's start in Hosea, since this one is taking me a lot to grasp, and I know that I still don't have a great hold on it. Lord, please give me understanding for Your Word. I really just want to go through the first two chapters right now. A brief summary of the story of Hosea: This story takes place after Israel and Judah have split into two nations. At this time, Hezekiah is king of Judah (He's an awesome guy, and you should read his story if you're unfamiliar with it) and Jeroboam (the second, I believe) is king of Israel (He's not a good guy at all). God calls Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer, in order to mirror His relationship with the nation of Israel. In chapter one, Gomer has three children, which God tells Hosea to name specifically to prophesy His judgement on Israel for their disobedience. The first child is named 'Jezreel', which goes back to when Jehu killed Jezebel and Ahab's sons. The second child, a girl, is called 'Lo-Ruhamah', which means 'No Mercy', or 'Not Loved'. The third child was named 'Lo-Ammi', which means 'Not My People'. God uses the names of Hosea's children to reflect His relation to Israel, saying "I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel" (v.6) and "you are not My people, and I will not be your God" (v. 9). God had no tolerance for the sin of the nation of Israel. Just like Gomer was unfaithful to her husband, so Israel was unfaithful to her true Lover. In chapter 2, God says of Israel, "she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband!" (v. 2). It is a harsh picture to think that my sin is adulterous in my relationship with God. I am being unfaithful to Him. I think that a lot of times we lean on the fact that we are human and so we are going to mess up. This is true, but we use that truth as an excuse a lot of times for our unfaithfulness instead of being broken over it. Yet, when I truly consider my offense, I am brought low before a holy, perfect God. And yet, He is gracious.
God was removing His mercy from Israel so that she, as a nation, would realize that she could not make it on her own. Verse 7 says, "She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.'" Later in the chapter, God says, "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt." It's interesting to note that the wilderness, alluding to the 40 year wandering of Israel, and the Valley of Achor, or 'Valley of Troubles' were not pleasant places, and yet it is there that God chooses to woo His people. This passage continues with a beautiful picture of God redeeming His bride, but I want to jump to the last verse of the chapter. God finishes His message of redemption by saying, "I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy (the word 'Lo-Ruhamah')... I will say to those who were not my people ('Lo-Ammi') 'You are my people!' and they shall say, 'You are my God!'" Amen.
Jumping over to Romans, I want to look at chapter six. Not only have I recently been convicted of my apparent sin, but also of my own disregard (I think that's the word I mean) for God's grace. I just want to quote Romans 6:1-11. It says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with His, knowing that Christ, ahving been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Wooh. What a promise. What a gospel. Sin is dead. There should be no return to it. I'm reminded of the Proverb that says, "As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Lastly, I want to look at the story of Josiah. Josiah was king of Judah. While reading through 2 Kings, when a new king is introduced, it usually says one of two things. Either it says, "he did evil in the sight of the Lord," or it says, "he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the high places were not removed". Then we come to Josiah in chapter 22. Josiah was a good king and did what was right in the sight of God. During his reign, the book of the law was found. The priest brought it to the king and read it to him. Josiah was broken over hearing what God required that the people had failed to follow. Josiah removed every inch of pagan worship from the land. he tore down the high places, he burned the chariots, and got rid of the horses. It even says that the people observed Passover as it had not been observed since before the time of the judges. Josiah recognized the sin of his nation and had the right reaction. He was broken over it and he did everything in his power to remove any temptation toward it. He was very serious about his relationship with God as well as his nation's relationship with Him.
I know I've been quite long-winded, and there are no picutres or video clips, and I'm so sorry if you've read through all of this and still haven't gotten anything out of it. Like I said, this post is more for my own benefit as I continue to work through what I am learning. I am still struggling with guilt versus conviction. I am extremely humbled by the grace that I continue to receive (humbled doesn't even begin to cover what I am). I am still battling against sin in my own life as I struggle to spur others in growth as well. I am broken and pleading for supernatural strength and perseverence to continue to run toward the One who knows all and sees all and yet accepts me as I am, not wanting to keep me that way. God, Thank You for Your patience.
I've been reading through Romans and Hosea, which is so cool. Doing so, I have learned a lot about the gospel. I've also finished reading 2 Kings, which has also fit in well with what I've been learning. So, really for my own benefit, I would like to just simply go through what I've been reading and learning. So, here we go!
Let's start in Hosea, since this one is taking me a lot to grasp, and I know that I still don't have a great hold on it. Lord, please give me understanding for Your Word. I really just want to go through the first two chapters right now. A brief summary of the story of Hosea: This story takes place after Israel and Judah have split into two nations. At this time, Hezekiah is king of Judah (He's an awesome guy, and you should read his story if you're unfamiliar with it) and Jeroboam (the second, I believe) is king of Israel (He's not a good guy at all). God calls Hosea to marry a prostitute, Gomer, in order to mirror His relationship with the nation of Israel. In chapter one, Gomer has three children, which God tells Hosea to name specifically to prophesy His judgement on Israel for their disobedience. The first child is named 'Jezreel', which goes back to when Jehu killed Jezebel and Ahab's sons. The second child, a girl, is called 'Lo-Ruhamah', which means 'No Mercy', or 'Not Loved'. The third child was named 'Lo-Ammi', which means 'Not My People'. God uses the names of Hosea's children to reflect His relation to Israel, saying "I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel" (v.6) and "you are not My people, and I will not be your God" (v. 9). God had no tolerance for the sin of the nation of Israel. Just like Gomer was unfaithful to her husband, so Israel was unfaithful to her true Lover. In chapter 2, God says of Israel, "she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband!" (v. 2). It is a harsh picture to think that my sin is adulterous in my relationship with God. I am being unfaithful to Him. I think that a lot of times we lean on the fact that we are human and so we are going to mess up. This is true, but we use that truth as an excuse a lot of times for our unfaithfulness instead of being broken over it. Yet, when I truly consider my offense, I am brought low before a holy, perfect God. And yet, He is gracious.
God was removing His mercy from Israel so that she, as a nation, would realize that she could not make it on her own. Verse 7 says, "She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.'" Later in the chapter, God says, "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt." It's interesting to note that the wilderness, alluding to the 40 year wandering of Israel, and the Valley of Achor, or 'Valley of Troubles' were not pleasant places, and yet it is there that God chooses to woo His people. This passage continues with a beautiful picture of God redeeming His bride, but I want to jump to the last verse of the chapter. God finishes His message of redemption by saying, "I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy (the word 'Lo-Ruhamah')... I will say to those who were not my people ('Lo-Ammi') 'You are my people!' and they shall say, 'You are my God!'" Amen.
Jumping over to Romans, I want to look at chapter six. Not only have I recently been convicted of my apparent sin, but also of my own disregard (I think that's the word I mean) for God's grace. I just want to quote Romans 6:1-11. It says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with His, knowing that Christ, ahving been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Wooh. What a promise. What a gospel. Sin is dead. There should be no return to it. I'm reminded of the Proverb that says, "As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Lastly, I want to look at the story of Josiah. Josiah was king of Judah. While reading through 2 Kings, when a new king is introduced, it usually says one of two things. Either it says, "he did evil in the sight of the Lord," or it says, "he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but the high places were not removed". Then we come to Josiah in chapter 22. Josiah was a good king and did what was right in the sight of God. During his reign, the book of the law was found. The priest brought it to the king and read it to him. Josiah was broken over hearing what God required that the people had failed to follow. Josiah removed every inch of pagan worship from the land. he tore down the high places, he burned the chariots, and got rid of the horses. It even says that the people observed Passover as it had not been observed since before the time of the judges. Josiah recognized the sin of his nation and had the right reaction. He was broken over it and he did everything in his power to remove any temptation toward it. He was very serious about his relationship with God as well as his nation's relationship with Him.
I know I've been quite long-winded, and there are no picutres or video clips, and I'm so sorry if you've read through all of this and still haven't gotten anything out of it. Like I said, this post is more for my own benefit as I continue to work through what I am learning. I am still struggling with guilt versus conviction. I am extremely humbled by the grace that I continue to receive (humbled doesn't even begin to cover what I am). I am still battling against sin in my own life as I struggle to spur others in growth as well. I am broken and pleading for supernatural strength and perseverence to continue to run toward the One who knows all and sees all and yet accepts me as I am, not wanting to keep me that way. God, Thank You for Your patience.
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