“In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less.”
-JD Greear, The Gospel Prayer
I’ve accepted the gift of Christ, the payment for my sins on the Cross. Yet, day in and day out, I fail to accept myself — His reward for spilled blood. There’s this little thing in me that whispers I’m not good enough or I haven’t done enough. In short, though rarely uttered in quite this way, I’m not worthy. So, I try to prove myself with what I do for Him each day. Each day, I make mistakes, I drop the ball, I disappoint myself. I believe, too, that God must be disappointed in me. While I know I believe this in error, this thought sticks around and keeps me from fully resting in the finished work of the Cross.
I try to control the circumstances of my days to stack the deck for accomplishment or fulfillment. In all honesty, I’m not sure what I’m after because I’ve yet to attain it. There is only dissatisfaction in the hustle of trying to prove myself worthy. It is a futile attempt. I’m not, nor will I ever be, worthy of the work of the Cross. Even so, it has been completed already. It is finished. I am fully loved and completely accepted by the perfect risen Lord. I am covered by the blood of the Lamb. I am not validated by a check-marked to-do list because I have victory in Jesus. At least today –this morning or just this moment– I claim this victory.
The following comes from a post on my Facebook page:
The act of the Cross was a one-time act. Jesus said, “It is finished.” It is in the past. But that past act frees us from bondage to sin today. It frees us from pressure to perform, to earn, to please. The Love that bore our sin on the Cross burns as strong today, and the power that conquered the grave works in and through believers.
But, if we’re honest, sometimes the Cross seems far away. Sometimes, it may even seem a little impersonal. God forbid we believe this lie given to us by the world He died to save us from! The Cross was for you. It was for me. It is finished. We can rest. We are free.
Grace and peace for this day and every day.
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:3-4).
If I truly accept the truth of the gospel, I must accept myself as a child of God and heir to his righteousness. If I shame myself, I shame the Cross by saying it wasn’t enough. Rather, I must rest in the finished work, never trying to prove myself to Him. Walking in communion, He will lead me into good work for His glory. When it’s done, I’ll know he doesn’t love me more because of it since He can’t love me more than He already does. The sweetest part of the gospel is that’s just impossible. While I’ll never truly be worthy, I can walk worthy because I know whose I am.
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Colossians 1:10-12).
How have you learned to accept yourself in light of the Gospel?
Talk to me in the comment section below!
Linking up: Five Minute Friday
I get this. I do the same thing. I recently read a line in a book that a dear friend wrote called “Start Something”. His name is Mathu Thomason. His line that struck me went something like this: So many of us live our lives like we are on a perpetual job interview, trying to earn our place. Jesus died. You’re hired.
I love this because I’ve been reminded of that since I read it. I’m hired. You’re hired. Because He died.
So simple and powerful! Thanks for sharing. I will remember that. “Jesus died. You’re hired!”
There was once a conversation, in my esoteric line of work…”You risk you lives for us, for pay, si?”
“I am paid, abuelo, but that is not the reason.”
“They why, gringo?” (I’m Asian, but apparently qualified as a gringo.)
“Do you believe in God, abuelo?”
“Of course. What a stupid question!”
“And was God born as a baby, and did He die on the Cross?”
“All our children know this.”
“Why did He accept this death?”
“To save us.” (Man, he was thinking, is this gringo stupid or what?)
“Why did He want to save you?”
“Because He made us, and He loved us…but gringo, you are not Christ.”
“No, abuelo. But can’t I love what He loves?”
He paused. “I’ll make sure you get an extra helping of beans with your tortillas tonight.”
Can’t I love what he loves? I just adore that! Thanks for sharing this story with me. Also…thinking I may need to make tortillas and beans for dinner tonight! Inspiring on so many levels!
We have to love what He loves or we cannot fully accept Him as our Lord and Savior – Jesus not only loved Truth, desired Truth in the secret places, but He calls Himself The Truth. The only Truth. Great post, Amber.
And all I can say is, “That’s true!” I always love how dear Jesus loving friends take these simple posts and run with them, teaching me to see things I hadn’t thought about before. You are a blessing!
I think so many of us think we are not worthy. But the truth is we are beloved children of God; fearfully and wonderfully made. The cross is such a gift. I think of these words from a song “Thank You for the cross, thank you for the cross my friend.” I’m in the 6 spot this week.
Yes! He slayed my shame, and I still want to carry it! God is so gracious. Thanks for coming here week after week, Tara, and sharing your precious words with me.
Ironically, I too constantly work to control my days and the circumstances (to stack the deck) in order to achieve that sense of accomplishment (that Christ will be please enough) when I don’t even know exactly where the end goal is or what it would take to do get there. Well, (I do know) – because, as you said, it has already be accomplished/achieved!! I know that so well in my heart…but the striving is hard to set aside.
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