Day 2229 of the 7 day Bible verse challenge.


2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

We've been discussing our inability to be perfect and how that shouldn't be our goal anyway. Jesus paid the price that our sins charged up and His love for us doesn't change just because we still make mistakes here and there. So working to gain His approval and acceptance is just foolish. As I said yesterday, He has already shown how much He loves us so why feel the need to work for something we have?

Since we have all this free time now that we don't have to work for something He's already given us, maybe we can get to work doing what He actually calls us to do. You see, if we're going to work at something it should be something that does more than swell our pride or make us feel better about ourselves. It should be something that helps others. Maybe something that can make a difference that is bigger than just our lives alone.

Maybe we can use our time to tell others about Jesus. Instead of working to gain His love we can spend that energy spreading the Good News of His Gospel. Maybe rather than focusing on making ourselves feel better for not being perfect we can tell others that He loves them even though they're not perfect either. You see, it's simply bigger than us, our pride, our mistakes, our wants or desires. It's about God and His offer of salvation!

Yeah, we're not perfect and I understand that fact can make us feel dirty and ashamed. But there's no reason for that and as this verse is reminding us, there's no room for it either. Christ wiped our slate, washed us clean, and gave us a fresh start. We have to stop letting shame keep us from being who He has made us and doing what He calls us to do. We don't need to try to earn our pride back. Our pride is now in Jesus so we have nothing to be ashamed of!

Friends, we have a chance to put ourselves aside and be a part of something so much bigger. Please stop working to do what Christ has already done and spend that time working to tell others that He's done the same for them. When we're working for God and sharing His light and love with others then we're making a difference that matters. He traded our shame for His truth and calls us to share that with the world. What an amazing opportunity!

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