As a minister, I help many, many broken people. I also know many people who think there’s nothing wrong with them whatsoever, and so they dismiss the things Scripture says to them. Yet it’s these broken people, when they call, come by the office, or send a message that always seem to think they’re in jeopardy of losing salvation. Believe it or not, this is a fantastic place to be.
I always ask them this question: when you’re sick, where do you go? And, (usually) without fail, they reply “The Doctor.” These feelings of remorse over our sin are part of the process. As a matter of fact, I would say there are plenty of people who feel no remorse whatsoever, and THESE people I truly am afraid for. Yet if this is you today, and you’re feeling sorrowful, and the weight of your sin, know you’re in a good place! You know something is wrong, you know you can’t make it right, and you know you need someone to rescue you. What you do after this is always of eternal value and importance: where do you go? To whom do you run? Who can fix what feels so broken and wrong?
This is why we never are to rely on our own strength, and think we’re good enough, strong enough, smart enough, rich enough. Good, strong, smart and rich people end up in the grave along with broken, crushed and poor people. The only people, after this, who can stand before God are those who placed their hope and trust in Christ Jesus. It is in His power, and in His power alone where the broken get restored, the hurt and sick get healed, and the downcast get truly lifted up. It is not by our strength, but by His victorious, righteous right hand that we can have life that is truly life. Stand firm in Christ. Let go of your own strength. He is the great healer, and no hurt of yours is too great for Him to handle.
Matthew 9:1-13
And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 Peter 2:13-25
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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