no condemnation

[dardar]

I don't know if this really classifie as a "testimony," but I didn't know where else to put it. I guess it can be a testimony of what God's TRYING to do in my life, if I'll let him.

I was reading this book the last couple days and it was talking about recieving forgiveness. And it said something that I'd never really thought about. A lot of times Christians (and by "christians" I mean "I") struggle with truly walking in freedom from condemnation. here's what it said: "Refusing to forvige oneself is self-righteousness. It's a reverse pride that says, "My standard is higher than God's." Instead of acknowledging sin as against God only and that only He can take it away, I try to be my own savior. I try to bear my own punishment, pay penance by wallowing in guilt or doing good deeds, or add to God's favor through obedience. But if we had any righteousness of our own, God wouldn't have needed to send a Savior and substitute. God's plan of salvation clearly reveals one thing: we have nothing to do with the Great Rescue. In fact, the only thing we contribute is the sin that has to be paid for."
It also gave me a new perspective on God's willingness to die for me. I knew it was His choice, but in order for it to happen, God had to be literally giving the soldiers who mocked and killed him breath and heartbeat while they did it. I've really questioned why God would choose to allow me to believe when so many others are where I was before I was a Christian - "believing in God" but not really caring at all about Him or His role in our lives. I really do weigh myself down with guilt a lot, but even if I don't understand His reasoning or sometimes fully believe His complete, unearned forgiveness as true in my life, that doesn't make it unreal. It's not that we did anything to deserve it, but he considered us worth it. I guess that's not anything we haven't heard before, but it was new to me this morning...again. I'm thankful that he's counted me worthy to share in his life-giving, free love.

[nini]

darlys, i reallly liked that. especially the part that said

" I try to bear my own punishment, pay penance by wallowing in guilt or doing good deeds, or add to God's favor through obedience. But if we had any righteousness of our own, God wouldn't have needed to send a Savior and substitute."

that part hit me. i think i've been trying to "save the world" here over the break on my own strength, and i've completely forgotten about the extent of the grace that God actually gives through jesus so i haven't had that freedom that you talked about, and therefore i haven't been as effective as i should be. and how can you show other people God's love if you're not walking in that freedom?? ...so that's a good reminder, thanks : o )

[Laurentius]

;D

[Stephani]

if we let God be the captain of our ships, we can sail a lot further...if we try to steer our ships on our own, we'll just crash or sink or something else disastrous.

remember that.