No Need for a "Do-over"

Last weekend, Pastor Steve talked about the “oughts” and “ought nots” of religion.  He read off eight commands that most religions share.  They included not harming others with our words or deeds; honoring our parents; being kind to our siblings and the elderly; being honest in all of our dealings; not lying; not having sex with another person’s spouse; caring for those who are weaker; and putting others first.  Pastor Steve then asked us to raise our hands if we had broken some of them over the past week.  Most of us raised our hands!  Yikes!

                                                                             

The bottom line for all of this is that we knew the rules.  We broke them.  Now that we broke the rules, we are at odds with God.  Now what do we do?  We feel guilty and ashamed, right?  I try not to hurt people, but I did?  I try not to drink too much, but I did?  I didn’t mean to cheat on my test at school, but I did?  Now what do I do? 

Do you ever feel like God could never forgive you?  Have you ever wondered if what you have done is just too bad?  The cool thing is, it’s never about what we have to “do;” it’s about what God has “done” for us.  God has chosen to forgive us because of who He is.  God has chosen to do the very thing we can’t.  We are given a “do-over” every day! 

I’m not a very good golfer, but I like to golf.  Often times my friends give me a “do-over” when I miss the ball – which is often!  Thank goodness I play golf with “grace-filled” people who allow me to have a “do-over” from time to time.  Better still, God gives you and me a “do-over” all the time!  When we realize that our hope is not in religion or in keeping the rules or in living a good life, but that our only hope is in Jesus Christ, then we realize what God has DONE for us.  Because of that, we can have joy and peace in our lives rather than living in a never-ending abyss of guilt, disgrace, shame and distance from God.  He wants us to be close to Him! 

Today I would challenge each of us to look at our relationship with Jesus Christ and find ways to deepen that relationship.  Christianity is not about religion. It's about a person -- the person of Jesus the Christ.  And with Christ, you never have to ask for a “do-over” -- it's given freely to you!

Here’s a song by Hillsong that reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.  

In His Grip!

Pastor Carol