Tag: I am a sinner

Learning patience

Sometimes I get frustrated with others. Sometimes it’s hard to not put my own concerns first. It can be hard to give and give and give.

But then I read Roman 15 and like a splash of cold water it tells me to ‘snap out of it.’ Christ didn’t get frustrated with my sin. Christ didn’t decide to call me selfish and teach me to figure it out on my own. Christ didn’t walk down a different street to avoid talking to me. Nope.

Christ died for me, for my sin, for my weakness. He took on my failings as his own and bore them. I owe a debt I can never pay. Therefor, I should gain strength from him. His sacrifice should help me swallow my own pride and bear the weaknesses and sorrows of those around me. I can look to him for strength and endurance in the face of frustration.

I needed this reminder this morning.

Romans 15: 1-4 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,
to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written:
“The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Take courage in His love

Some days I feel down in the mouth. I feel upset and nothing goes my way. The little problems are mountains. What should I do when I feel this way?

I can replace my own negative and myopic self talk with scriptures. I can fill my head with the glory of God. Doing this doesn’t make me less pathetic or sinful, it just ensures I remember that I am loved.

Sometimes we all need to remember this. The worst of humans have access to God’s grace. Even when we are sure of our failures and certain of our hopelessness God can reach us. Because our place in his kingdom is not a product of our goodness but His holiness. God loves me not because I am lovable but because He is love.

When your inner voice tells you that you are unworthy say back, “Yes, but God is worthy.”

When your inner voice says you are a failure reply, “Yes, but God is not.”

When your inner voice reminds you how unlovable you are answer, “So true, but God IS love.”

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.