When I became a believer as a young girl, I believed the Bible. I believed that Christ died for my sins and without accepting His gift I salvation, I would be lost forever.
My faith changed but didn’t grow very much. For so long I kept hold of only elementary understandings of who God was. Some of that was a God that I had created through my lack of knowing Him.
One thing I didn’t get a real grip on was the hope that Christ alone offers. I held onto the beliefs that it was about the rules and quite honestly, I was doing a very poor job of keeping them.
I didn’t get it.
I didn’t get that I live in Christ, I didn’t need to have the strength to be obedient on my own and that looked quite different than what I had conjured up in my mind or had been taught.
Thinking I had failed so desperately, sadly, I rebelled against God. It was easier to live for myself. I didn’t have all those rules. You can read more of my testimony next week during The Testimony Tour.
As I continued through my young adult life, my rules became even more lenient and I found myself literally thinking if I don’t look over my shoulder, I never have to face God.
For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19 (NLT)
What I didn’t know was that the law, the rules, were never intended to make anything or anyone perfect. They were supposed to show me how sinful I was so I could recognize my need for a Savior.
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3:20 (NLT)
What it took me so long to realize was that God had forgiven me. The rules or law had pointed me to my need for a Savior. I remained chained to them not seeing that my hope in Him lead to restoration.
Isaiah 40:31 says But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
My previous choices in life left me weary. They drug me down to a pit of self-loathing.
As I began to trust Christ with my life, He helped me to understand it was not only necessary for me to believe His Word to be true but I had to believe it was true for me.
Christ took my hand from that pit and pulled me out, renewed my strength, and allowed me to soar.
I find my hope in Him.
You may not have made the same decisions I have. Maybe you came to Christ when you were young and have always lived a “pretty good” life for Him. But if we are being honest, I find from the many conversations that I have, living by the rules always leaves us weary and feeling trapped.
Don’t misunderstand me, please. We have to live in obedient surrender to Christ. Should we say we are living under grace and then go on sinning. As Paul, would say, Certainly not!
This new hope that we have in Christ is about freedom. It about chains being broken. It is brokenness being made whole. It is about taking that new hope and using it for God’s Glory.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
So, what shall we do with this new hope?
In Mark 12, one of the teachers of law said to Jesus, of all the commandments, which one is the most important.
To which Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)
Love. The greatest commandment. Seems simple. Yet, we find ourselves so weary and without strength to do just that.
Yes, there are some who seem so easy to love, but what credit is that to you? (Luke 6:32)
We must trust this hope we have is truly meant for us. Daily, sometimes, hourly or by the minute we can have restoration in knowing that our hope of being perfected (loving others) rests in the hands of the One who is able to deliver.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (BSB)
Christ Himself, will encourage our hearts. He will give us strength to serve and love one another for His Glory. Through seeking a relationship with Him, He will give us a New Hope.
Personal Reflection:
Do you find that serving others makes it easier or harder to love them?
What things, rules, or laws do you find yourself tightening the chains that Christ freed you from?
What is the difference between believing God's Word to be true and believing God’s Words to be true for you?
How often so you find yourself praying for the people in your life that are most difficult to love?
I would love to continue this conversation. Meet me in the comments and let me know your reflections on the hope you have in Christ.
cb Share Here bc
If we are not connected on Social Media, Find Me on one of the links Below!
Jaime Wiebel - Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+
This week's featured friend is Gleniece Lytle from Desert Rain where she helps turn a parched life into a well-watered garden. Gleniece writes about living an abundant life in Christ while living on little. She also shares great recipes. Thanks for joining us, Gleniece. I am glad you are here!
WOW! Thank you all for coming and for the 45 Amazing posts from last week. This party has been wonderful thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read posts. Thank you!
You all are amazing writers who share Family and Faith, DIY's, Recipes, Photos, Giveaways, Homeschool and more. Many of you have amazing journeys of faith and I praise the Lord we are able to connect here!
There are easy share buttons to your left or at the bottom of each post (mobile) and after you link-up. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! From all of us at #SittingAmongFriends
*** Joining Us Here? You are welcome to join me on Pinterest and Pin to Our Sitting Among Friends Blog Party Board where I will be happy to re-pin posts to my other boards. ***
cb Share Here bc
Labels: A Living Hope 7-Week Study, A New Hope, Changed Hearts, Hope In Christ Alone
Love. The greatest commandment. Seems simple. Yet, we find ourselves so weary and without strength to do just that. 