Pre-Grace??

I asked a certain group of believers if they ever struggle with seeing themselves as “pre-grace”. This is where you know you have been forgiven, but you still see yourself as that sinful person. At times, I still see myself as that punk 12 year old trying to steal cigarettes from the Exxon. It amazed me at the way almost all the eyes went to the floor. It must be an epidemic. We have to learn to see ourselves as God sees us.

I think of Paul when he said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that He counted me faithful putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy.” He understood how that “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature”. He did not forget all that he was, but he also did not allow what he was to define him. His identity was not in being what he used to be, but in being not what he used to be (read that again).

I wonder how many of us see ourselves as a new creation. We know we are forgiven, but we struggle to see ourselves as clean. One small sin can throw us back into the deepest feelings of regret and sorrow. See yourself as God sees you.

I WAS WHAT I WAS, BUT PRAISE GOD I’M NOT WHAT I WAS!

Small Groups

Hey Church!!!!
What do you think of the new Sunday Night Small Groups?