Dad often says, “Be who you already are.” You’re a redeemed sinner, a child of God, so act like it. I’ve always heard this phrase and thought about sanctification. Since I’m already declared a child of the King, I should act like a child of the King. But, this morning it struck me differently. I was thinking about something that Matt said in his sermon, “We are not living in the reality of who we are.” “The slate is clean, no one is keeping a tally.”
How often do I keep a tally of my sin? How often do I remind myself that I just did “it” again? I keep track of things that God has no record of…
“ I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25
Why do I focus on things that God does not? I AM NOT saying that sin is not a big deal. or that God is not full aware of it. But, He chooses to wipe our slate clean. He chooses to look at the sacrifice of His Son. He has counted us righteous. We are His children, clothed in robes of righteousness. His focus is His Son. My focus is my sin. Uh, Houston, we have a problem!
As I contemplated this difference, I was struck by my arrogance. Why should I have a different gaze than the Creator of the Universe? In essence I’m looking at my Redeemer and telling Him that though He says all my sins have been atoned for, they really aren’t. I need to mull over and beat myself over the head. I need to navel gaze. That’s the last little bit needed to make me righteous. Hello? Where do I have the right or the gall to look God in the face and tell Him that His Son’s sacrifice wasn’t enough? Besides the horrible arrogance, it’s just plain stupid. God has declared me righteous. It is His grace that gives me the strength to follow Him. He is making me into His image. I make puny attempts at obedience and He rewards me. He blesses me abundantly. He loves me extravagantly. He faithfully upholds me in trial. My response? Wow, look at my sin.
Somehow, that just seams to fall so short. Of course I need to be serious about my sin. But, should that be the focus? If someone gave me millions of dollars, what should my response be? To sit around and focus on all the duty that comes with that much cash? To focus on the hard work of being accountable for that much money? (Though that may be wise to do.) Or to be giddy and beyond excited? There’s a place for work and duty, but what would you expect me to spend most of my time doing? Being very happy and very grateful to my kind benefactor. I’ve been given a gift far more amazing than millions of dollars. My sins have been atoned for. I have been forgiven. I am an adopted child of the Creator of the Universe. What' should my response be? A checklist of duties to do or basking in the joy of the Savior that has redeemed me?
Joy should characterize every moment of my life. What is there to not be joyful about!!!
Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame; [1]
he remembers that we are dust.
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