Romans 3:21-31But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Greetings My Beloved!
I trust you are having a fantastic week. I have been spending most of my week in prayer and fasting, seeking God for complete purification. I have seen in the past where I have been disillusioned by the spirit of perfection, and now I seem to be at the other end of the spectrum. I feel so filthy and unworthy compared to the holiness of God, and yet He chose me. Not when I was cleaned, but when I was as filthy rags. However, I did not see myself as filthy, I was blinded by the spirit of perfection. Oh, how quickly that perfection sneaks up on us. Oh, how holy we are, oh how perfect we are - when in reality we are not. Our righteousness, our holiness only comes from God. It was only because Christ suffered the death on the cross that we are even considered holy enough to enter into His presence. The priests had to go through all sorts of rituals before entering the most holy place, the holy of holies, and were only allowed to enter into once a year. When Christ died for us, the curtain was torn, and we are able to enter in; however, we must be cleansed by the blood of the lamb - the ultimate sacrifice and redemption for our sins.
Hebrews 10:19-22Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Have you sought the Lord your God with all of your heart? Have you been able to see where you have dissatisfied God? Have you seen where you were the filthy rag? The awesome part is there is no condemnation through Christ Jesus, as He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. Can we as Christians still sin? I think so, maybe not intentionally, but we are to constantly strive to gain the perfection of our faith. Seeking God's righteousness, not our own, and certainly not man. We are to strive to be Holy, as God is Holy. The only way to get that, is through purification.
2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
There was a time, when I was suffering from the spirit of perfectionism, when God was asking for me to repent of the sins in my life, and I said, "I have not sinned, I am perfect." Oh, what a dangerous place to be when you think you have nothing to confess, especially when God is asking you for repentance. It is actually a beautiful thing, repentance, so why are we so quick to think that admittance to sin is so bad?
2 Corinthians 7:10-13Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.
Scientists spend time testing their hypothesis to answer their problem; however, often have a difficult time publishing when their experiments prove their hypothesis is wrong. Why are we so quick to boast about all of the great things in our lives, yet so quick to cower in silence rather than admit when we mess up? Is it because we live in an intellectual society that promotes perfection, but disregards those that make mistakes? Are we less than human if we mess up? Of course not, we are all human, we all make mistakes, all have sinned and come short to the glory of God (Romans 3:23). However, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, but we have to first confess: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Let us take the time to seek our hearts during this time, where have we messed up? Where have we placed our families, our jobs, our things above God? Where have we spoken lies to promote ourselves? Where have glorified ourselves above God? Are we guilty of sin? Let us repent, let us confess our sins, so that we can remain pure, holy, and blameless to the day of Christ's return!
Blessings -
Christina
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