May I ask you some personal questions? Friend to friend? How is sin affecting your perception of God’s love for you? How is your sin affecting your Christian journey?

And now another: Why is it so easy to see and judge others for missing the mark while glossing over our own missteps?

When we downplay or justify our sinful actions, we risk missing some important things: the opportunity to experience God’s love; the opportunity to repent and change; and – most importantly – the chance to live holy lives before a holy God.

Have you considered that the more we dismiss our sin, the more we minimize God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary? Let’s see what happens when we read Galatians 2:20 (ESV) out loud: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Let’s read Galatians 2:20 again, this time making it even more personal. (Pause as necessary to fully appreciate the meaning and intent.)

“I, (your name), have been crucified with Christ. I nail my will to the cross. It’s no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. From now on, I, (your name), put my complete faith in Jesus, the Son of God, Who loved me, (your name), so much that He died an excruciatingly painful death – on my behalf.”

The more we comprehend how much Jesus loves us and acknowledge the price He paid for our sins, the more we can see sin for what it is: evil, destructive and foolish. Only the greatest act of love could rescue us from it.

God’s love for us is so great that we struggle to fully understand the depth of emotion and sacrificial commitment that drove Jesus to die for mankind. Especially for people (us!) who consistently rebel – and then minimize our actions.

Is it possible to understand a love so giving? A love so tenderhearted that it can completely penetrate our hearts?

A love so powerful that it enables us to recognize and repent of our sin and resolve to turn in a new direction?

I love the way our heavenly Father loves us. Don’t you?

l

Sheryl H. Boldt is the author of the blog, www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at
SherylHBoldt@gmail.com.