The Beauty of The Gospel

I so often struggle knowing what is right. I’m not talking in area’s of clear Biblical standards set forth in God’s word. Those, to me, are very black and white and my heart is to be obedient. In fact I want to always be obedient, I want to obey perfectly. However, I am not perfect. I fail to measure up to the standard. To my standard and to God's.

I fail to say what should have been said, or say what shouldn’t have been said. I fail to take every thought captive and allow my mind to obsess and over think, trying to control my environment.

I often fail to walk in humility. By humility I mean gospel humility. Tim Keller defines it in part as “ is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. Gospel-humility is not needing to think about myself. Not needing to connect things with myself.”¹

There is more I could list, but you get the idea. Even in these area’s I know what God’s word says . I know His truth. Yet deep inside, lies cry out that say, “I do not measure up. I will never be good enough.” So often I forget truth and choose to live here. Condemned. Trying to earn more of God’s favor. More grace. Trying to do good works. Trying to be good enough.
Why do I strive so hard for favor? Because I so easily slip back to living under the law and forget I have been set free. I am no longer in bondage. I now live under grace. The truth is, because of the gospel of Jesus, I am no longer condemned. I am free!

The gospel of Jesus tells me that He knew I could not be prefect. No matter how good I tried to be, I would fail. I would not ever measure up to the standards of a Holy God. So what can I do?

Here is the beauty of the gospel. This is His amazing grace. Jesus, being God came to earth to show us the way to the Father. He gave HIS life for mine. He paid the price. God, being holy, would only accept a perfect sacrifice. A spotless lamb was required. Only Jesus could fulfill that requirement. So He left heaven and came to earth, was crucified, raised again. (Roman 3:20-30)

So this beautiful truth means that even though I may fail, even though I will never be perfect God sees me through His Son’s sacrifice. And because of what Jesus did for me (and you) I am no longer condemned and I am seen through the cross. God does not see my sin, my failure or my weakness He sees Jesus.

In essence it means that because of Jesus I DO measure up. I am good enough. I no longer walk in bondage. I am free. This is the beauty of the gospel I must preach to myself every day!

That my dear sisters and brothers is a very beautiful thing. I mean, it changes my whole out look in life. It changes what I think and how I think. To really grab ahold of this truth means that I can daily walk, not in fear of failure but in the freedom of KNOWING I am His Beloved Child and NOTHING I do or say will change that.

Oh Jesus how truly beautiful You are. You willingly gave Your life for me. Help me to walk daily in the truth of The Gospel. Pour out Your Spirit and fill me to the brim with You alone. Leave no room for anything but You. Oh Jesus I do forget and I slip back to wrong thinking and try to earn my way into Your heart. Forgive me. Thank you for Your grace. Help me to remember I am always near to Your heart. Help me to walk in the knowledge that I am precious to You and You daily walk with me reminding me of Your truth. May I have ears to hear and a heart to obey. Amen

 ¹ Keller, Timothy (2012-04-01). The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness (Kindle Locations 277-280). 10Publishing. Kindle Edition.
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