Good vs. Forgiven

from Monday, March 5, 2012~


   Sunday one of the songs we'd practiced almost got cut. It just wasn't flowing during practice. We ended up doing it anyway and after service several people mentioned how glad they were that was part of worship. Ya never know... 

   I've had the first verse in my head all week. It starts out A thousand times I've failed, still your mercy remains and should I stumble again I'm caught in your grace.* I love that! I mess up so much every day. When I take those mistakes to God, throw myself at His feet, I'm not met with disappointment or anger. I get mercy- unearned, freely given mercy. How do you beat that? 
   
   We were talking last night about how almost all religions are alike in that they require achievement- good deeds, self realization, etc- to get to eternal bliss or a successful life. I say almost all because Christianity does not require it. Seriously. We go to heaven because we are forgiven. We know we aren't perfect, could never be perfect, and shouldn't expect others to be perfect.  Our beliefs have to do with the historically verifiable existence, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our mess ups so we receive forgiveness from God and entrance into a perfect eternity. It's got nothing to do with being good and thank goodness for that!
  
* The rest of the lyrics to Hillsong's From the Inside Out:

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out 

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1 comment:

Jenny said...

Grace & Mercy... I think if I even half-understood it, I'd never be caught without praises on my lips. God is so good!

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