We compare ourselves to each other… all of us.  We just do it almost like it’s a natural tendency.  May it is.  I am so guilty of this.  Look at that girl, if I only had hair like that…  But we also do the reverse.  Look at that person, look what they are doing… I’m better than that.  At least I don’t _____.  You fill in that blank for yourself.  It’s dangerous to compare your sins to someone else’s.  Judging much?

But some of us also think that we are unlovable, unforgivable, not good enough.  That God can never, ever forgive me because I ______________.  Again, the blank is yours to fill.  And if I don’t point that sin out to God, He won’t know… the biggest lie of all! God knows every detail of our lives – of your life.  And He longs for you to come talk with Him about it!

So here’s the thing…

1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This was written by Paul.  You remember good ole Paul.  He started out as a Pharisee and made extremely good money and attained a high political status by persecuting and killing Christians!  BUT THEN GOD.  There’s always a BUT THEN GOD. You remember the story, God made Him blind until he went to see Ananias who told Saul that God had chosen him to carry God’s message to the people.  Ananias healed Saul and changed His name to Paul… and then once again BUT THEN GOD.  God changed His life and Paul made many, many missionary journeys.  He also wrote a majority of the New Testament.  How’s that for changing the life of the worst sinner!

If you are longing to meet God – to have a deep relationship with Him.  If you think you are unforgivable or unlovable, that’s simply not the truth.  It is a lie from the devil.  Ask God, He’ll show you!

Goodness sakes alive!  If I can be forgiven after all my turns wandering around in the desert making wrong choices, so can you!  If the nation of Israel can be forgiven over and over and over, so can you!  And if Paul, who was killing God’s people when God stepped in can be forgiven and his life turned around, so can yours!

And for goodness sake, stop comparing your sin to other people’s sin.  God already knows about it.  He’s simply waiting for you to come and talk with Him about it.  So do it today!  It’s very freeing and liberating and quite a relief.  Peace is a fabulous word to describe it… but don’t take my word for it, do it yourself!

Have a marvelous day!

XOXO Bride Linda Kay