What Delivers Us from Condemnation?

It is difficult to accept that one decision can affect the direction your life will take. Rare is the person who hasn’t desired to change a decision because its influence seems impossible to outlive. You remember details that continue to produce sorrow and regret.

Jesus made decisions that were physically and emotionally painful, but they did not produce regret. He pleaded with God to forgive those who nailed him to the cross resulting in him feeling abandoned by God as he became the sacrifice for our sins.

Fortunately for you and me, we are not up against the cutting edge of condemnation, for we belong to Christ Jesus.

 This truth gives us hope for a new purpose in life, set apart from those previous decisions, to make our own way through life. Sadness is replaced with joy by realizing God has the power to set in motion a new course for your life. Expect it to happen.

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…Every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son Of God. 

~1 John 5:4-5 Good News Bible  

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Mercy – Not Revenge – Is Sweet

When Samson lost his new wife, he immediately responded by seeking revenge. Revenge for him was to burn every field of grain, all vineyards and olive groves of those who were the object of his rage. Revenge was not justice, but an act of violence meant to satisfy rage.   

In this state, Samson was driven to do what his brain instructed, no matter how destructive. In these moments of rage nothing can dissuade a person to change their mind. Only after the adrenaline subsides is it possible to make a limited analysis of what transpired.

When that moment arrives, fear creates the compulsion to hide, but Psalm 139 explains there is no escaping God's presence. "Where can I go from your Spirit Lord? You know all I do. You’re around me on every side; your powerful arm protects me." What God did to redeem and give us a new beginning and to free us from the bondage of sin, he did out of great love and mercy. Praise God for the love and mercy of Christ Jesus. 

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God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you.

~Ephesians 2:4-5 Contemporary English Version

 

Let us therefore approach the throne of God with greatest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need.

~Hebrews 4:16 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Father forgive you your failures.

~Matthew 5:14-15 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Forgiveness – and Other Hard Choices

          

Although Jacob was resolutely against permitting Benjamin to accompany his brothers to Egypt to buy grain, facing starvation changed his mind. Joseph had been his father’s favorite son, but Jacob believed Joseph was dead, so Benjamin was now his current favorite. Benjamin was the younger son of Rachel, the wife Jacob had adored.

Joseph warned his brothers that if they did not return to Egypt with Benjamin, they would not see his face again, meaning there would be no grain for sale. There are times when circumstances force us to trust God, because the alternative is to cringe in fear and doubt.  

A similar choice faced a man whose marriage had ended in divorce following a disastrous business adventure. He chose to face his mistakes and was determined to learn from a stunning failure. He believed most people would be compassionate and forgiving when sincere apologies were expressed. Most people do choose to forgive, for who hasn’t experienced failure. As we forgive others who have hurt us, God promises to forgive us.  

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But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience, he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved.

~Ephesians 2:4-5 Good News Bible

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

~Mark 11:25 New International Version 

Redeeming Bad Choices - Part 3

If we had a choice, most of us would choose life without hardships and glitches.  When we're honest, we have to admit that troubles derive from our bad choices.  Not that we seek trouble, but we make poor choices that yield painful consequences.  Perhaps you've heard, "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad choices."

Experiencing bad choices is often necessary for personal change and growth.  A crossroad can be paved with trouble, heartache, pain, and suffering.  The narrowness of the passage is significant since we cannot escape making necessary changes.  There are times when we need to be made aware of what we've allowed our lives to become.

However not all crossroad experiences result in pain and suffering.  A  crossroad can lead to our finest hour, indicating we made good choices.  This turn in the road can lead to new discoveries that produce strength for living. God's word points out that we cannot imagine what great things God has in store for those who love him!  Isn't that exciting?