“But Christ gave Himself . . one sacrifice for all time.” Hebrews 10:12 Living Bible.
“The best of us definitely remains a work in progress.”
My thoughts today are about “a work in progress.”
Have you noticed how hard it is for people to forget what you’ve done, and how you have been? That may not still be true of you now but what you were seems to be what people always remember. A bad reputation is too easily gained and difficult to be changed sometimes. Being your best is so important at all times, however young or old you may presently be.
People know you the way you were; they can’t see inside or know your heart. But God sees inside your heart and knows the depths of one’s soul. The Bible reminds us that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” See 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV. God knows who you already are in Christ, and foresees who you are becoming in grace, and knows who you have always been in His heart. Admittedly, even the best of us definitely remains a work in progress. Here’s the good news: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV. God is still working in you, and the best is yet to be. While you and others were looking at your past, God was planning for your future – and it’s glorious!
Read these words slowly, thinking over every word. I have taken the liberty to personalize it directly to you. “Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose (you) to be His very own through what Christ would do for (you); He decided then to make (you) holy in His eyes, without a single fault – (you) stand before Him covered with His love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt (you) into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for (you).” Read Eph 1:4-8 TLB.
And before you can even ask why, Paul answers your incredulous disbelief: “And He did this because He wanted to!” Enough said! And God decided all of that before the world was made, and before you were even born! What God did is not about you, nor who you are or aren’t, or what you’ve done or failed to do; what God did is all about God and who He is – abounding in grace, love, and mercy.
“But Christ gave Himself . . one sacrifice for all time . . for by that one offering, He made forever perfect in the sight of God all those whom He is making holy.” Hebrews 10:12/14 Living Bible. A friend of mine asked the question, “What can you do with a God like that? You love Him and give your life to Him!” How could it be hard to love and trust a God like that? See 2 Corinthians 5:15 TLB.
Don’t feel badly at others who can’t always see past your past. You probably have struggled with doing that yourself. Your own insecurity and self-doubts are what makes criticism so painful from family or friends. “So stop evaluating Christians . . by what they seem to be on the outside . . when (you became) a Christian, (you became) a brand new person inside. (You) are not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 TLB.
Remember that less than good reputation, which is so easy to acquire? Paul wrote this, “Jesus made Himself of no reputation.” Philippians 2:7 NKJV. I think that was for the purpose of taking upon Himself your reputation and mine, and giving us His! What can you do with a God like that?
My prayer for you today is that you love Him and live for Him all of your life.