True Inward Transformation
Have you ever thought about what a proper response to God looks like when you make a mistake?
It was common in ancient times to tear your clothes as a way of repenting and showing sorrow over mistakes you may have made. It was an outward expression of something happening internally.
But what would often happen is people would make a public display of repentance without actually repenting in their heart. So, rather than tearing your clothes, God says He would rather you repent in your heart. Tearing your clothes means nothing if your heart isn’t broken before God. Outward expressions should come from true, internal transformation.
And God says that anyone who comes to Him in genuine repentance will experience His grace and compassion. We do not need to fear God’s wrath since we are His children. He encourages us to repent and return to Him when we mess up.
Scripture says that God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Rather than living in guilt and sorrow, God says He will give grace and love instead. He desires that we experience and live within His love, even when we mess up.
What is your first reaction when you mess up? If you try to hide or ignore your sin, take some time to consider why. God wants you to experience freedom and love. Go to Him with what you’re carrying in your heart, and repent of anything that goes against His ways.
Remember that nothing can remove His love from you. He desires that you live in grace and mercy as a child of God.
The Greatest Treasure
Matthew 13:44 contains some of the most impactful imagery in all of Scripture...
Just imagine for a moment: You are walking across a field and stumble upon an ancient treasure, forgotten by the whole world. You realize the plot of land is for sale. What would you do? How quickly would you sell everything you have to buy the field with the treasure? Fast? Of course! You’ve found something of great value, worth so much more than anything you had before!
Jesus uses this imagery to illustrate the Kingdom of heaven. When you discover the true value of something like that, you give all you have to grab hold of it, to be part of it, to have it for yourself.
And what is the Kingdom of heaven?
The Kingdom of heaven is God’s will on earth. It’s the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news that we can be set free from sin and walk in His mercy and grace. The Kingdom of heaven is right now, and it's an invitation to you.
Have you discovered it? The joy, energy, excitement of ...