Thursday, April 11, 2013

Good News (09-14-2006)

I started a blog at Blogger because I changed email addresses and forgot my password at Wordpress. Most of the stuff I've written over the years is kind of dumb, but some of it might be worth preserving. I'm copying it over here so that when I forget my login info again, I can just copy it from this one place.

I feel I would be remiss if I did not share the greatest news of hope somewhere within all of my blogging efforts (I know, I know, it looks like absolutely no effort goes into anything I write)

But first, let me share some bad news (well, hardly news to those who know me) and some confessions. I am not a good person.I have murder and lust in my heart, and I often hate my fellow man (especially in heavy traffic situations and other minor inconveniences).I am impatient and quick to judge.I am a legalist and a hypocrite.I cannot measure up to the laws I invent for others, but that’s okay, because I have a different set for myself (and I can *usually* meet those, except in those rare circumstances.Good thing there’s loopholes for those).If I had the opportunity, I would rob from the rich and poor to give to myself.I am a liar, a cheat, and a scoundrel, but I put on a good act.Most of my acquaintances think I’m pretty decent fellow and a respectable guy, but that just shows that I’m also sneaky and deceptive.Even the things I do right, I do wrongly…I do good deeds to make myself look good or feel better.I give to charity and help old ladies across the street to ease my troubled conscience.With the law of love written on my heart, I continue to hate.

The good news of it all, though, is that, in the eyes of the God, I am forgiven and covered in the righteousness of another.I am seen as blameless and good.Since I am seen, not as I really am, but rather as one righteous and good, I am free to screw up any number of times down the road (it’s a good thing), because I am free from the burdens of my wickedness; and I am free — finally — to repent of my wickedness and pursue righteousness.

Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man, came to earth as our incarnate savior.He lived a righteous and blameless life above reproach on all accounts, and then was crucified as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of men like me.After three days in the tomb, he rose again, and then later ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.

I am forgiven, because I believe in His name and upon his sacrifice.I am justified, not because I am good, but, rather because he is good, and through grace, by faith, I am considered righteous before God the father.

Jesus died as an atoning sacrifice for this world of sinners like me, and offers himself up to those who will believe in Him.Trust in him as your hope and stay, and you will be counted as just and will be reconciled with God.The burdens of a guilty conscience and the worries of past, present and future mistakes are relieved by this eternal hope of forgiveness.

That gives me hope in this dark and broken world.

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