We
all struggle with sin in one form or another. Maybe it is an addiction, or
grouchiness, or anger, or pride, etc. These negative attitudes color our
personality, thoughts, emotions and behavior. It is only as we confess these
sins, that we can find healing and forgiveness from our Father God.
One
major requirement for healing is for us to forgive our self. God, and people
that we wound may be quick to pardon us; however, we often hold our self in
bondage by not forgiving our self. There is no condemnation from God for these
lapses in behavior (Romans 8:1), unless we refuse to come to Him for clemency
and healing.
God
prefers holiness over any other Godly attribute. We can love abundantly, but
without holiness we fail to allow Christ in us to shine through us. We all hope
to find appreciation from those we serve in life. We crave focused attention
from our family. We need to feel respected, loved and cherished.
Yet,
sometimes these premium emotions will also foster pride in our heart. We focus
on the laud and honor we receive, and allow it to puff us up with pride.
Instead, we can realize that our accomplishments come through the work of God's
Spirit within us.
This
helps us to clothe our self with humility, compassion, kindness, patience and
meekness, as we allow Christ in us to affect lives around us (Colossians 3:12).
His love in us is patient, kind, benevolent, and not proud or boastful (1
Corinthians 13:4).
God's
sincere love in us is also full of purity, wisdom and the Holy Spirit (2
Corinthians 6:6). Humility and gentleness allow us to bear with one another in
love (Ephesians 4:2). We put on our new self in Christ, created to be like God
in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).
Prayer:
Father
God, help us to show Your kindness and compassion toward our self and others.
Teach us to forgive our self and one another just as You forgive us through
Jesus (Ephesians 4:32). In Christ, You also comfort us with Your love,
encourage us in spirit, and give us fellowship with Your Spirit's presence in
us and with one another in the Body of Christ (Philippians 2:1).
Help
us not to do anything out of selfish ambition and pride, but to humbly consider
others as more important than our self (Philippians 2:3). We are so grateful to
be part of Your family, Your elect, Your chosen, and to have Your soul delight
in us (Isaiah 42:1; Ephesians 1:4). Thank You for showering us with Your grace
and peace (Romans 1:7).
Thought
for the Day:
Out
of our humble beginnings of repentance and humility, God's mercy and love bathe
us in His righteousness and grant us to be called His children; as we abide in
Him, we live in holiness and do not make a practice of living in the flesh, but
in His Spirit.
-
1 John 3:3, 6; Matthew 5:9; Galatians 5:15-25
