It’s just SO HARD to remember …

Earlier this week, my pastor and I met with some friends who are struggling with bitterness — and even hatred — toward one another.

These precious friends love the Lord, but they are locked in conflict and a devastating cycle of being offended, holding grudges, judging one another, having a charitable view of THEMSELVES while consistently having a JUDGMENTAL attitude toward the other person, etc. etc.

I love them and I am praying for them — but boy! It was still incredibly hard to be with them and see their sin, unbelief, and gracelessness. Not so much because it was hard to be around THEM … it just reminded me WAY TOO MUCH of MYSELF.

(I am SO quick to forget the gospel, to sin grievously, to believe lies and live with a critical and wicked heart.)

ANYWAY … another Wednesday, another three flights out of state, and my heart became very sad. I took my eyes off of the Lord. I forgot His great and precious promises. And was faithless and sinful.

But here’s the thing … even as I began to repent and to beg God for His forgiveness and mercy, I could sense the PULL deep within my Old Man to legalism:

I cried out to God to forgive me because of His Son Jesus … BUT … I had the sense that I would need to “be good” for a day or two (ore more) before I could really “feel” close to God again.

Oh friends! I was tempted to believe a LIE! To live by every false religion that says, “BE GOOD!” … and to make a mockery out of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Even as a battle raged within me, I could picture my friends sitting with my pastor and me as we entreated them to BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! In that exact moment when he is vile and she is a bitter — TO REMEMBER that God’s grace is greater than our sin. That we are JUST LIKE THE OTHER PERSON. That apart from Christ, there would be nothing good in us. That HIS BLOOD covers us. That God loves us and is growing and changing and sanctifying us.
 

Because to base our relationship with God on anything other than Jesus is to live a lie. The gospel says that God saves sinners. Period. That GOD is the One, True, Redeeming God of the universe. That HE forgives us because of Jesus.

This is our boast. This is our Hope.

It’s the Only Hope for my friends.
It’s MY only hope.

(But isn’t it just so hard to remember?)

Dear God, please help us to remember.
Amen and amen.