JCX 9/21/10

The JCX after thought:

-Have you ever felt like you just are so far from God? How about feeling like you have done so many bad things that you can’t ever be forgiven? We talk a lot about how to flee from sin (that’s how Paul, a writer of much of the New Testament, calls it) but what do we do when we haven’t fled? What do we do because we haven’t said no to sin but yes? That’s what we chatted about last night at JCX.

-We, you and me, spend way to much time kicking ourselves for the stupid decisions we make, the way we break God’s heart and the disappoint and shame we cause.

-Now, this doesn’t mean that we don’t take sin seriously nor does it mean that we don’t face it and deal with it. Too often we live in “shameful guilt” instead of “gutsy guilt”.

-Gusty guilt is facing what we’ve done, admitting to it and seeking healing. Micah 7:8-10 focuses on this (read it, it’s awesome). There is a line in verse 9 that says: “I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case.” I love that line and here’s why.

-Our case of sin has been pleaded for because of Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the grave. We don’t have to be ashamed anymore because there is a freedom found in Jesus. Romans 1:16 says that we don’t have to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God for the salvation of ALL people.

-So … our focus was all about salvation last night and being confident in Jesus Christ and the work he continues to do in each of us. No matter what you’ve done, face it; live in gutsy guilt until the Lord pleads your case. Oh, and by the way, He already has! Thanks for coming last night … Love ya, mean it …