Quit Beating Yourself Up

 ^"So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace". - Romans 11:5-6 (ERV)

I was reading through Romans this morning and Romans 11:5-6 really hit home with me. You see as sinner redeemed by the Grace of God I sometimes tend to get tripped up on my short-comings and failures. I beat myself up because I just don't seem to meet up to my own unattainable expectations. I didn't read my Bible enough today, I didn't pray enough, I slipped back into the very thing that I swore I'd never do again. These things can really taint our perspective of things and I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way from time to time. 

I know for me much of this can be attributed to that "holier than thou" Christian group that looks down their noses at others and are just appalled that any so-called Christian can till struggle with things. Oh Yes, you're out there I know because I've joined that group a few times myself at one time or another. For me, I grew up around a ton of old-school theology where much of it wasn't even Biblical theology but more of just someone's opinion or personal convictions being passed off as sin. This actually pushed me away from the Church and I ultimately made the decision that I didn't want anything to do with God. 

Fast-forward many years and now back in relationship with God I still find myself beating myself up for things and I seem to have to constantly remind myself that a true walk with God is a process. This portion of scripture (Romans 11:5-6) reminds me that God chose me and forgave me and I didn't do anything to cause that to happen; it was His grace that did that. There is nothing that I can do (or NOT do) that will cause God to love me any more or any less. Think about that for a minute and if you truly can wrap your head around that it's liberating. 

So that means we can do whatever we want because God's grace has us covered  right? Absolutely not but that's a completely different topic (see Romans 6:1-14 if you're interested in this). For the time being I just want to let you know that God has called you to greatness and there is nothing you can do (or not do) that will change the amount of grace and love that He has for you. 

So I leave you with this reminder from The Apostle Paul found in Ephesians 2:8-9, he says, "For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn't earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing." (The VOICE translation)

Take Care & God bless,

-E