True Confidence 001

"True confidence does not come from perfection, it does not come from having no flaws. True confidence comes from knowing that God is with you." - Joyce Meyer

The above quote was culled from @JoyceMeyer twitter timeline. The moment I read it, I got thinking about some basics of Christianity `considering that I have been listening to some messages recently on Justification, Reconciliation and understanding our Position in God.

A lot of times, as Christians, we feel dejected and depressed when we mess up (sin) and begin to think that God isn't with us anymore because of our evil act(s), thinking that it will take us sometime to work at earning back the "spiritual confidence" we used to have prior to the sinful experience. I have been here many times in my spiritual experience...

Recently, this thoughts have been altered. Now I am beginning to understand that the price of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary was the price for my past sins, my current sins (if any) and those of the future. It is the Price to avert any form of 'death' penalties/punishment as a result of the errors(s) considering this verse of scripture - "...the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life..."

This price makes me realize that God never relates with me based on my sin status but based on my righteousness-status as a result of the price that Jesus paid for me... This quelled that thought in me - that my justification has to be earned. For now I know that - It cannot be earned because it has been fully paid for in advance!

Here is a paraphrase of the scenario that sold that thought to me completely:

Assuming Mr. A dupes Mr. B in a business deal, Mr. B forms a negative opinion of Mr. A and ceases to hold him/her in high esteem going forward. He also ceases to have any dealings with Mr. A.

If a certain Mr. C comes into the picture, hearing about Mr. A's errors and goes to Mr. B to amend the errors by paying for Mr. B's losses including some extra to cover for other non-monetary expenses.
At this point, Mr. A gets his mind relieved about the issue but still cannot consider doing business with Mr. B because of his earlier experiences hence Mr. C also goes ahead to make a huge deposit of funds stating clearly that Mr. B can continue to do business with Mr. A and in the event that he dupes him (Mr. B) again, he can simply withdraw from the stash deposit by Mr. C.

Mr. A = Me/You (Man)
Mr. B = God
Mr. C = Jesus

That is the extent of the price Jesus paid for you and I. Let's understand this clearly and stop the devil from having a field day by leaving us in a sea of guilt, worry and struggle to earn God's confidence.

I will continue from here next time. Till then, keep basking in His grace.