I remember the first time God challenged me to embrace His word over my doubts. He simply questioned “Are you going to believe what I’ve said about Me in my word, or what people say about Me or even what you think about me, above me.” (HA! “simple”) That challenge has since been ongoing and daily! As though I’m prone to forget unless He’s a constant motivator toward His truth and love. And He thankfully is!
God says that He loves us. That He desires our greatest good. That yes, He hates sin, but He loves us! If we didn’t try to break that in half and say “Because He loves me He doesn’t care about my sin (false hyper grace) or “Because He hates sin, He hates me (false hyper condemnation) what beautiful balance would that imply..?
He’s taught me that He hates sin because sin is hateful. It’s deceitful. It shows itself sufficient and good and leaves us empty at the drawing board we’re made to push past, over and over. We’re made to grow and take root in love further and deeper, but the chains of sin will always hinder that instinct. What our soul actually desires is God’s will. Sin abides in fear and rebellion against God’s will. But God’s will is that we abide in Christ, who is fearless and for God wholeheartedly (2John1) For the God who says He is love, is holy and good. Is supreme, sovereign and worthy. Do we believe He’s good, holy and beautiful/ worthy at the same time? Wouldn’t faith like that change everything? Do we know the true God?
God knows all our understandings of Him doesn’t happen overnight, but He also knows it begins with humility and desire to know. Which is why He resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble and says if we draw closer to Him, He’ll draw closer to us (James4:6-8) That (IJohn1:9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and help us.
So believe that He is forgiving on even our worst, most lost of days. That if we need His forgiveness He would encourage us with patience and grace rather than have us fearful, if that grace would help us find peace, trust and redemption in Him. God’s for our salvation not against it. He came so we’d have a savior not condemnation (John3:17). God enjoys and seeks to be our refuge (Psalms).
Take God at His Word!! I’ll be in it with you!