I used to try to be perfect all the time…okay, maybe not used to, but I am working on not doing it!

• That was stupid.
• Your heart is not reflecting God if you just said that word.
• Wow, you have no patience.
• You are such a mess.

I beat myself up every time I do something I know is not pleasing to God.

Ever been there? Struggling to live the life you know God wants you to? As my church would say, “Be living proof of a loving God to a watching world?”

Yep. Me too.

We are sinners. Saved by grace and shown God’s mercy. Shown His mercy because we deserved what Jesus did for us – death – brutal death – on the cross. We deserved to die for our sin, but when we choose to accept God’s free gift of sacrifice of Jesus we get to live forever in heaven. Life everlasting. Eternal Life. Perfect life in heaven.

But here’s the thing.

We aren’t there yet. We are still the sinful creatures who try daily to walk with God and mess up. God knew we would and that is why He made a way. It is also why His mercies are new every morning.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:23-24

It’s not a license to sin, but grace and mercy. His mercy is that we don’t get what we deserved because Jesus did it for us.

We are in the process of sanctification once we accept Jesus. We begin to grow that relationship with Him and become more and more like Him. Depending on Him and His strength to walk with us and help us each day.

But we will fail this side of heaven. It’s just not possible to be perfect here. We are children of God, but also of Adam. Since Adam sinned we all have that sin nature.

It took me years to get all this in my head and heart, and I am still working on it, but lately God has been asking me to show myself more grace…then I can be more gracious to others too.

To come back to Him and take it to the cross. Lay my sin before Him and ask His forgiveness, repent and ask His help to not sin.

I will though.

• I will still probably honk sometime at the guy/gal that cuts me off in traffic.
• I will probably say words that are not pleasing to God.
• I will probably try to do life on my own without His help.

I will sin and you will too, but remember when you do…

His mercies are new every morning! Great is HIS faithfulness!

Amen!!

Father God,
Forgive me for failing You. The many times I don’t show honor and glory to You. For being selfish, not having language becoming of Your love, and just trying to do life without You. Forgive me and help me turn to You and Your strength. Help me have grace for myself as You do for me, and to be Your light to others. May they see You and not the sinful person I am. Thank You for loving me so much and for Your amazing mercies which are new each morning. Thank you for Your faithfulness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

(C) 2024 All Rights Reserved. Susan M. Clabaugh with Encouragement in Daily Living LLC