Acceptance

One could have many different approaches to this subject; sin and its hold on us…

The Bible puts it like this for the Christian; we are no longer under sin but under grace. So without spending too much time here this is one of Paul’s points; “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)  

It would be very unrealistic to except the entire human race to be of the same character and fiber with “sin” as our common denominator. Although we as Christians have been freed from sin, it is quite obvious we do not always live here. There is a day coming in the New Jerusalem that will unfold such beauty, but that day has not yet arrived. Why then do we expect so many who are incapable of walking like the pillars of our faith, men like Job or Daniel, to walk as if it should be expected of them? Not all are Model citizens; some seem to be a lot worthy than others and yet all fall short of the glory of God. But Christ is the express glory of God and His sacrifice was accepted by the only true God, the great I AM, Jehovah God, God almighty. It was a once and for all time sacrifice never to be repeated. Christians now are covered by His sacrifice, His righteousness and this is why we are accepted in the beloved; because of Him and not because of us. There are no ifs and buts in this truth. Christ has paved the way! Nevertheless we are instructed to walk worthy of the call in which we have been called. “What should we say, then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Of course not! How can we who died as far as sin is concerned go on living in it?” (Romans 6:1-2) 

Why then do so many of us fall far from the mark when it comes to this instruction. Obviously sin and it periods still having their effect on us, although it shouldn’t! We have been bought with a price; the blood of the Lamb! But I know I have failed miserably along the celestial road, throughout my journey as a Christian. The days of pretending have long eluded me, how I would love to have been a Paul, or one of the mighty warriors of old. The truth be told I am but a struggling pilgrim, weaker than most. What is a man to do? “While I have breath I will have hope” and until God says no more, by His grace I will endeavour to dust the dirt from my knees. There is no other option for God’s children…

There is “much to do about nothing” when we consider the psychobabble of the world and its systems and yet with that said not all should be ignored. As a young man having to confront the reality of HIV I most certainly needed to accept the truth before I was able to find a way to live with it. Up until that time where denial played its part in my life I was unable to find peace living with this disease. So too must we look into the mirror when it comes to where we are as Christians and honestly reflect before we can look to God to find forgiveness  and the aptitude to dust the dirt from our knees if need be. Where we can often go wrong is when we look at others and wish we could be like them. Not that we should not aspire to have examples, we must. Remember what the Apostle John had to say; “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” (3John 1:11)

Our goal then is to imitate all that is good, to put off all that which is evil and when we stumble and fall to get up and dust the dirt from our knees. God has promised to save all who call upon him, from the greatest to the least and not only the supreme. The truth has been declared; there is only one who was ever worthy of God’s complete requirement for sin, praise the name of Jesus!

When we find out that we are not like other "great specimens, it is not until we except whom we are in Christ that will we be able to be of any worth to fellow Christians and the body of Christ.

My life then has been a journey of much dirt dusting, which often leaves me feeling rather dejected, yet this has been the reality of my life, for me now to live in denial would be detrimental to my walk with the Lord. God help us all too honestly reflect into the mirror of our lives and come to terms with who we are in Him. Never to excuse sin but always looking to Him to find grace in time of need to overcome sin. And yes we maybe in such a hole that it seems like a pointless exercise, but there is nothing too difficult for our God, He is Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end and remember this truth; “For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."” (Romans 10:11)

Signing off

Tyrone