Today was a big day of revelation for me. We got a teaching on forgiveness and the part that really stuck out to me was the statement that “God knew the sins I would commit the day He made the Earth and the day He sent His son to die on the cross for my sins”. This was a major perspective shift for me. I have dealt with guilt and shame of the life I had lived before giving my life to Christ as many others have I am sure. My mind was filled with thoughts like “you’re not worthy” and “you have to earn this gift of salvation and you don’t stand a chance”. The truth is that the blood of Jesus is enough of a sacrifice to cover all of humanity that was and is and is to come. If we look only at our works and what we can produce for the kingdom of God then it is true that none of us are worth it. But God didn’t send His son to die for our sins so that He could get something from us. He did it so that we could live in relationship to Him. In that sense we are certainly worth it and it is proven by the depth of the sacrifice, God sent His ONLY son for you and for anyone else who will proclaim the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In Psalms 51:11 the Bible says “Cast me not away from your presence; take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” ESV - This verse really speaks to the heart of our works and our faith/relationship with God. The more we desire to be in community with God the more our heart overflows with His love that produces the works. Therefore striving for works is a tireless pursuit that leaves you unfulfilled when the relationship aspect is not also in order. That is why we should all prioritize our relationship with the Father. Not only will He spur us to works but He will also be our comforter, provider and source of wisdom and knowledge. This is why in James 2:26 it reads “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead”. We all know that our body alone is not enough to sustain us but this is also true of a half hearted faith. Works is the visible byproduct of a healthy and sustaining faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore we should focus first on our relationship with our savior and the outcome of this will be works that glorify Him.

I would just like to encourage you all to pursue a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and continually set your focus on HIm. The mistakes of our past do not disqualify us from His love and desire to live in relationship with us everyday. The Bible praises time and time again that when we pursue Him and make Him our central priority He will our our His blessings on our lives and guide us into our purpose and destiny.