Friday, June 22, 2012

True Conviction.

This morning I ended up in Starbucks, pulled out my Bible and journal and started to read a little. I chose Hebrews...really love that book. I read through the first 2 chapters, and really loved learning that God has such endless grace that He sacrificed His Son for us. Not only that though...God created Jesus so perfectly.
"Because God's children are human beings-made of flesh and blood-the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; He came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for Him to made in every respect like us, His brothers and sister, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." Hebrew 2:14-18

Of course we all know God knows exactly what He is doing...but I forget so often how truly amazing He is. He made Jesus to be like us...to struggle, be tested, and sufffer the ultimate so that we would be able to relate and cry out to him in OUR moments of suffering and tests.

So that was my "ah-ha" moment of the morning...but it wasn't until I got back into the car and turned on the radio that I had my "aw, crap" moment! :) The song Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns came on...and the lyrics hit home. God made Jesus in every respect to us, yet He is holy...God's Son...righteous. He surrounded himself with people others despised, calling them His brothers and sisters...loving them and teaching them like no one else did. Yet, as humans, we label and judge and think of ourselves better than someone else.

Instantly, I was convicted... How can we...I...act such a way after God not only sent His Son to die for me, but also set examples of how to live? Did God make His Son in such a way for us to not only be able to relate in times of suffering, but also to show us that no matter who you are there is no one better than the other? If God created Jesus in EVERY respect to us, and His heart broke for the sinners, taking them in and teaching them...why do we not follow His example, but instead do the opposite? Why doesn't my heart break more for what His does?  We are all human, all loved by the same God...
Hmm, some food for thought, I think so!
At first, I felt a sense of failure. But then I thought, maybe instead of feeling "Oh no, I've failed you God...boo-hoo" maybe I should turn it into an opportunity to grow...and start fresh. God, let my heart truly break for what breaks Your's, and let me not judge others but instead be an example just like You were. Jesus was human, flesh and blood...no more different than you and I...yet He was at the same time. So if I can cry out to Him in times of suffering, because He suffered just like me...I can surely love, just as He loved!



Here are the lyrics to the song. Read and let them encourage you to feel heartbreak just as He did. Let them convict you to start fresh...not to feel like you've failed.

"Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet"


Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns

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