It never fails. Every time I fall flat on my face, barging into sin like a bull in a china shop, I come face to face with my own humanity; my imperfection and the inadequacy of my self imposed attempts at holiness. And each time, I am ever more aware of my inability to produce good works on my own and of my ultimate reliance on God’s grace.
It also never fails that God works everything together for good -yes, even my sin- for His eternal purpose (Romans 8:28). Not only am I able to humble myself before my Creator in reverent submission and repentance, accepting His grace through His payment for my sin; I am able, by His doing, to impart this grace onto others. It amazes me in wonderment and gratitude that He would be willing to use me as a vessel of His righteousness even in the midst of my failures. In confessing my sin to others, especially non-believers, or the spiritually searching, I present myself as a living example of God’s unending mercy (those who know me are able to testify to the “unending” part) and as an illustration of His constant love.
As long as I remain in this, body, I will never measure up. Therefore, I will rely on faith. And I will stand under grace. Not because of who I am or what I do. Rather, because of who He is: steadfast, constant and true. And, that’s the beauty of our God. In an ever-changing world of high pressures, lofty expectations and disappointments, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I do not change Him. My actions do not change who He is. And my sin does not make Him less holy. According to His plan, His doing, His ability, He can and will work it all together for good. It’s not about me; it’s about Him.
And, His grace is sufficient for me.
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*Picture available at Art.com
