Second Baptist Baytown

Discouragement and discouragement stemming from guilt is often one of the greatest weapons that the enemy chooses to use against todayʼs Christian (Christ-follower).

I know in my life many times I can forget the grace that Ephesians speaks of, and begin to live as though Iʼm saved by things that I may or may not accomplish. Therefore, my thoughts and feelings ride this roller coaster based upon my actions, thoughts, or emotions. I read my Bible and pray and then I feel great about myself and my walk with Christ! But then I sin, or forget to read my Bible, or fall asleep praying (yeah Iʼll admit it I fall asleep in mid-prayer...especially in the mornings or at night ha) and I feel awful about both my walk with Christ, relationship with Christ, and pursuit of God.

However, when we look at scripture, we find a completely different view of the Christian walk altogether. Paul speaks of us being saved “BY GRACE”, and “NOT ACCORDING TO WORKS”, therefore truly where are these feelings of discouragement, doubt, and discouragement stemming from doubt and discouragement come from? If they arenʼt from God or the Spirit living within me, then where are they coming from?

You see the Bible commands us to Joy (Galatians 2:22), and to walk in the Freedom that we have been liberated into (Galations 5:1). When I begin to test what I think in my mind as, “The walk of the Christian”, with scripture... I begin to find that the walk isnʼt even as much about our walk as HIS. For, “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8), and we were DEAD in our transgressions (Ephesians 2), but we were made completely ALIVE in Christ (also in Ephesians 2).

Therefore, my walk, relationship, and pursuit of God is not based as much on my pursuit of Him as much as it is on this Hurricane of love in which I find myself. Iʼm bending and swaying in HIS love, a love that nothing can separate me from... for, “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:37-39, I added the exclamation point :)).

So, I close with this...
Your relationship with Christ is secure, for it is based upon Godʼs character (LOVE) not yours. And honestly, you have been given a new spirit of LOVE within you, so I command you to walk in it! So, when you “mess up” or “fall”, God isnʼt waiting there to strike you with lightening, but rather love. However, does this mean that we can do whatever we want because God will forgive us no matter what? MAY IT NEVER BE! You are a new CREATION. You are now alive.... Why would you relinquish your life to submit back to the death from which you have been liberated? (Romans 6:1-2).

Discouragement and discouragement stemming from guilt is often one of the greatest weapons that the enemy chooses to use against todayʼs Christian. But take heart, for Christ has overcome ALL of your sin and death (John 16:33). Stand in HIS grace and chase passionately after Christ and the Lost, for any other pursuit is a waste of your life.

Chase HIM and them like it matters, because the Bible says that it does (Phillipians 3:12-21).

To Make HIM Known,

Jeremy