Do you need some confidence to face this New Year? Then focus on your sin for a moment. Here’s why…

If we don’t understand the depths of our sin, we won’t understand the great love of our Savior enough to be able to confidently trust Him with our tomorrows. Let me explain…

Luke tells us, the Pharisees and lawyers could not accept the message of repentance John the Baptist preached (Luke 7:30); and they certainly couldn’t believe the message of Jesus- that such a great gift would be so freely given to those, they felt, did not deserve it.

Their eyes were on the law and the belief they could somehow earn their own righteousness.

Luke goes on to tell us, while Jesus sat at dinner at one of the Pharisee’s houses (Luke 7:36), a woman, the entire town knew as a messed up sinner, falls at the Savior’s feet, and washes his feet with her tears. She kisses his feet and anoints them with fragrant oil.

And the Pharisees are repulsed.

But her love was great and Jesus says,
”her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

Those who believe they are good enough, who think they only have a few things to forgive, whose eyes remain on themselves and their good works, are blinded to their need for a Savior.

They don’t love much because they don’t think they have much to be forgiven.

For us today, many don’t spend time focusing on the law, or thinking we can earn salvation, BUT, in our grace-heavy culture…we often skip right to the gift of grace and spend very little time focusing on just how much we need it.

Let me say that again… we often skip right to the gift of grace and spend very little time focusing on just how much we need it.

Because of this, many don’t cherish the gift of grace and love the Savior for how very much He has done for us.

Honestly, how often do we really stop and remember all God has forgiven us? How often do we ask Him to examine our hearts? How often do we remember just how much we need the Lord, every single second?

I don’t want to live in the guilt of my sin, but I DO want to remember just how much God has done for me. As I do, this helps me love and trust Him more!

My sin was great, but His love is so much greater! His grace truly is amazing!

And as I remember what Jesus has done for me, it helps me confidently walk forward knowing a Savior who loves me THAT MUCH, fully knowing all I have done and will ever do, will never leave me or forsake me!

Friend, there is strength to be had in that!

Because of Jesus, we really can face tomorrow! Because of Him, our sin is forever gone! And we can truly know He holds the future! No matter how scary this year may be!

He, who started the good work in us, will surely complete it! (Phil 1:6)

Because of Jesus, this life, it’s not all there is! Because of Jesus, we are citizens of another, better Kingdom.

He, ALONE, holds the future!

Because of Him, we don’t rely on ourselves, or our own strength, but faithfully trust He holds us in His Hands! He has us! He has this day! He has all our days! He has 2022!

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