As a Christian you are probably familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Whether you recently accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior or you did many years ago as a child we came to the same conclusion--we are sinners separated from God. We learned that grace is unmerited favor; Strong's defines it as the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. And that only Jesus Christ can restore our relationship with God. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
If I take this a step further, 2 Corinthians 5:7 says for we walk by faith, not by sight. As I accept Christ I can now walk by faith trusting in Him. I believe this to be true. I believe the bible is the inerrant word of God. I was challenged recently about whether I live out what I say I believe. I realized that I'm not actually living as if I believe that Christ died on the cross for my sins. Don't get me wrong, I know beyond a doubt that I asked Jesus Christ into my heart when I was 11 years old at Pineywood Baptist Encampment but rather had carried the weight of sin around my neck even though I was already forgiven.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Here's the really cool thing that I learned--He's already forgiven me for ALL of my sins. This was done before I was even born! So why do I choose to keep carrying them around my neck?
As I am entering a season of my life that I am expecting radical change I have to be willing to throw off everything that is holding me back and weighing me down. Hebrews 12:1 says Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Interesting this verse keeps coming to mind. I truly desire to run (physically) but haven't made it a priority. The same is with our walk with God. We must make Him a priority--not as a chore, or to work off our sins, but to be in His presence and to know Him more. My race as Christian should be marked with the confidence that I walk (run) with forgiveness adorning my neck.
I will choose to walk in the knowledge of the grace and forgiveness that I have already received. Do you believe? Do you live it? Start today--lay it all down and start a fresh encounter with God.
