Remembering sins for the right reasons..

Read Eph. 2: 1-10


I found myself reading Ephesians 2 and the before and after picture sets the right mindset that I should have when I look back at my sins. When I read this passage the first three verses set the dark back drop. Then God really speaks volumes in verses 4-10. What hits me the hardest is in verses 4-5. "4 But, God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--.." This is mind blowing for me, it really is. Dead people can't do anything to make themselves alive. Dead people are helpless. So when God chose to make me alive in Christ. It's huge. God didn't have to, but He did. The right mindset I ought to have when I recognize sins in my life is to have a posture of godly sorrow. Wordly sorrow is just another form of pride and self pity. It robs God of the glory He deserves. The godly sorrow posture fixates the gaze to the Cross, leads to repentance, and places faith in the promises of God, which allows and encourages us to live radical lives for the sake of the kingdom. Results of godly sorrow, a life characterized by 180 degree turn from sin and towards God in words and action. 2 Cor. 7: 10-11 warns me that worldy sorrow produces death, while godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, which is life in Jesus.

So when I look back on the old self, I'm very thankful for God saving me from my own dug up grave. =] "Praise praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit three in One."

Application:
1. Examine myself
2. By faith, repent
3. Renewal. Rom. 12:1-2
4. Make friends and share the good news.

Lord, I pray for love, boldness, and wisdom to share the Gospel to those who are perishing.


What I'm thankful for: Melissa and her encouraging words matched by deed =], SD being a nice place, losing my wallet so I can go to the DMV and then go to work late....its so I can read more and finish blogging, watching 24 with all my roommates, and catching up with Anthony and Richard.

Hope and Promise

Reflections...

So I haven't blogged in a while, but I figure the time is right to start up again. I had a chance to study through Peter's epistles during the Christmas break and I find myself turning back to it on multiple occasions. Particularly, 2 Pet. 1:3-4. So what have I learned..

1. God has given us power for life and godliness
2. This power is accessed through an intimate knowledge of Jesus
3. By God's glory and excellence He has given believers precious and great promises

So what are these promises? Sanctification, new life in Jesus, heaven, glorification, and the list goes on.

4. These promises help us to no longer be enticed by sin.

My response..God is good!