July 17, 2013
As little kids, we were so glad when we were allowed to come out of the bedrooms to which we had been sent because of misbehavior.
Nobody likes “time out” time away from the good graces of the family.
When Mom or Dad called us to them, explained why it’s important to follow family rules and then gave us a loving hug, life was “all better now.”
Over time, we not only learned how to be better-behaved, but we also learned how much our parents loved us.
To a far greater extent, this is the same dynamic as what happens in our relationships with God.
We stop thinking of what our Father wants and start focusing on what we want and, inevitably, we digress into sin.
Because of love, God sends the Holy Spirit’s voice to convict us of our sin.
If we’re wise, we respond quickly and repent.
If we’re pridefully stubborn, we respond more slowly and suffer more needlessly.
For most Christians, though, repentance does eventually flow when the spiritual math makes it clear that we’re losing more than we’re gaining in so many ways.
That’s when we run to our Abba Father.
That’s when He embraces us and assures us of His love.
That’s when He reminds us that He’s already paid the price for our sin and was just waiting on our choice to receive it through repentance as we have done so many times before.
That’s when restoration’s joy fills our hearts just like the joy of the child hugged by Daddy and reminded he or she is loved by Daddy and then is sent out to play with the other kids.
Here’s a passage from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible that reminds us of the amazing love and grace that flows from the God we serve.
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,whose sins are put out of sight.
“Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.” (Romans 4:7-8 NLT)
Remember the joy of your restoration from sins past, my friend. Cherish those memories of being in the loving, nurturing, gracious arms of God.
For it is the recollection of how much God loves us that compels us to please Him more and serve ourselves less.
And that will be a very good thing with a lot less drama.
As always, I love you
Martin
