NEVER

I have been in church most of my life.  I’ve heard so many great things about our beyond words amazing God.  I have learned how to live in response to His Great Love for us.  There are, however a few things I have had to unlearn.  There are some doctrines taught from the pulpit which elicit emotional responses, however they do not line up with New Testament Grace.

I’ve spoken with so many people who were concerned for their salvation because they made a mistake, or they have an addiction they wrestle with.  The idea that God is perfect, therefore He won’t be with you in your sin until you confess the sin and get it “under the blood” seems to have reached the far corners of the Christian world.  Let me stop you right here if you think I condone sin.  Sin has consequences.  Sin brings death.  I won’t go into detail here, just read my other blog posts or my upcoming book, “The Grace Life”  where I go into depth on Biblical Christian living.

I lived in so much fear when I was younger whenever I made mistakes or struggled with those reoccurring sins.  I was afraid I would be on my way home and die in a car wreck with unconfessed sin and go to Hell because I hadn’t asked for forgiveness yet.  I loved God.  I accepted the sacrifice Jesus made.  I believed the Bible.  Yet, I was afraid because I believed my salvation depended on my strength to hold on to Jesus.  I believed my requests for forgiveness of each and every sin was how they were forgiven.

I was preaching the Love of God, yet I was afraid that Love was not enough.  I’m so thankful we were introduced to God’s Grace!  I want to encourage you with the following scripture from Hebrews 13:5 (Amplified).  The first part of it is talking about finances which are important.  However, the rest of it has helped me through the toughest times and helped me to realize no matter what, HE HAS ME.

 ^“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”