T A K E F I V E DEVOTIONALS
by David McQueen
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
One of the most frightening things that I have found is how many Christians feel unworthy or unaccepted in the Lord. Feelings of not being good enough because of a lack of understanding about God's love. Sometimes this can this be brought about by misinterpreting the Bible, or maybe being "told" conflicting thoughts from friends, family and church.
How many times have people emphasised that our righteousness is like filthy rags without emphasising that we have no condemnation when we walk after Christ? Or amazing grace that saved a wretch like me without focusing on the fact that we are saved from wrtechedness? Baptized and asking for forgiveness because one does not want to burn in hell rather than focusing on the fact that heaven is our rightful home in Jesus?
YOU ARE WORTHY. That is what Jesus made you when he died for you. "For while we were still helpless, or at the right time Christ dies for the ungodly". God loves us unconditionally. The more we realise this the more we realise our worth for him and want to be like him. This does not mean we can do what we want, but rather that we will want to obey him naturally because we love him, even though we may make mistakes.
Just like any relationship be it family, friends or partner, if we feel real deep love, we feel wanted, we feel warm, we give back love and even if we mess up we still feel loved although we know we must say sorry and MEAN it. Christ has created you new. You are WORTHY. You are being RESTORED to the IMAGE he created you in. You are NOT unrighteous because you are in Christ. And don't let anyone tell you any different. So there!!
Dear God, help us to realise that through accepting you we are made worthy. We desire to obey you out of love not fear. Help us to know the difference, that we are a new creation in you. In Jesus name. Amen
by David McQueen
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
One of the most frightening things that I have found is how many Christians feel unworthy or unaccepted in the Lord. Feelings of not being good enough because of a lack of understanding about God's love. Sometimes this can this be brought about by misinterpreting the Bible, or maybe being "told" conflicting thoughts from friends, family and church.
How many times have people emphasised that our righteousness is like filthy rags without emphasising that we have no condemnation when we walk after Christ? Or amazing grace that saved a wretch like me without focusing on the fact that we are saved from wrtechedness? Baptized and asking for forgiveness because one does not want to burn in hell rather than focusing on the fact that heaven is our rightful home in Jesus?
YOU ARE WORTHY. That is what Jesus made you when he died for you. "For while we were still helpless, or at the right time Christ dies for the ungodly". God loves us unconditionally. The more we realise this the more we realise our worth for him and want to be like him. This does not mean we can do what we want, but rather that we will want to obey him naturally because we love him, even though we may make mistakes.
Just like any relationship be it family, friends or partner, if we feel real deep love, we feel wanted, we feel warm, we give back love and even if we mess up we still feel loved although we know we must say sorry and MEAN it. Christ has created you new. You are WORTHY. You are being RESTORED to the IMAGE he created you in. You are NOT unrighteous because you are in Christ. And don't let anyone tell you any different. So there!!
Dear God, help us to realise that through accepting you we are made worthy. We desire to obey you out of love not fear. Help us to know the difference, that we are a new creation in you. In Jesus name. Amen
