Kingdom Beauty Design

I sometimes see or hear about people walking away from their faith in Christ. The many reasons this might happen is either because of a pastor or church leader made a mistake, dating a christian that failed to be a leader, our own mistakes, or simply by being confused about how christians live their lives in this generation.

I get that.

When we feel betrayed by someone we trusted, or we fall into sin that feels unforgivable- it’s so easy to begin to question everything else in our lives and our beliefs.

But what if these things happen in order for us to awaken to the fact that we might have put our full trust and hope in others and in our own strength, rather than in God alone?

No human being is perfect, and we will fail others in one way or another. This isn’t to say we can’t or shouldn’t trust each other, but we can’t look to others as if they were our saviors nor glorify our own lives.

There has been so many times that I personally thought I could be the reason someone doesn’t come to faith in Jesus because of things that I’ve said or done and this truly makes me sad. Yes, my actions do have consequences and as a believer- I do think I’m held to a higher standard in the way that I should live for the glory of God, but let’s be real, I don’t have the power to save- only Jesus does.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, I read a verse that says, “Yet, God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

When I read this I couldn’t help but to notice that it is He who plants eternity in the human heart. It is He who makes everything beautiful for its own time.

I’d love to think that I live a perfect life, but I don’t. I struggle with my own sins, but just like my favorite writer of the New Testament, Paul, I boast about my weaknesses.

The times that I’ve failed have honestly humbled me in a way that reminds me that I can’t do life alone and that my actions have consequences. Every time i’ve failed, I continue to learn to be gentle with myself. And somehow, God always shows up to comfort me at the perfect time.

He is a promise keeper and redeemer.

One of my favorite stories written in the book of John paints a beautiful picture of how Jesus does not condemn us.

In this story there was a women that was brought by the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees to Jesus because she was caught in adultery and they wanted to stone her. But instead, this is what happened;

“They kept demanding an answer, so He (Jesus) stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you.” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

~John 8:7-11

Hold up though, anyone else bothered by the fact that they only brought the woman to be stoned? The audacity… 😒

Moving on…

I love how Jesus was always so straight up and calm about things.

In this story, we not only see this woman forgiven as Jesus reminds her that even if others condemn her, He doesn’t.

But not only is this woman reminded that she’s not condemned by Jesus, but also the religious leaders and Pharisees are probably humbled by the fact that they, too, are not perfect or exempt from sin. None of them could throw a stone at this woman because they recognized their sinful nature.

This story brings me so much hope and freedom because regardless of how we’ve failed, Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. There is forgiveness when we repent and turn to God. And it is through faith in Jesus we are healed.

It’s true that as believers we must live lives that reflect God’s character, but it doesn’t mean we will never fail and this is why we look to Jesus as the only perfect person whom has ever lived on earth.

This doesn’t excuse any wrong we have ever done or wrong done to us whether directly or indirectly, but instead- it can remind us of how good and faithful God is even when we are not.

…”My grace is all you need. My power works best in weaknesses.”

~2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s grace is ALL that we need.

He doesn’t love us more when we do what is right and He doesn’t love us less when we fail…

Through spending time in God’s word we can gain knowledge and understanding of who He is.

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” ~ Psalm 100:5

Father, I thank You for being so good and faithful even when I am not. I pray for those whom have hurt me and those that I have hurt knowingly or unknowingly and I lift them up to You that You may bring comfort and healing to them. Help me to forgive them as You have forgiven my own sins. I pray to keep seeking to honor You with all that I do, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trust God, and Do Good 😊