"How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He would give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure."
"Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me..."
It's easy to sing the lyrics to these beautiful Christian hymns (How Deep The Father's Love and Amazing Grace), but do we actually believe what we're singing? Do we actually believe that we are indeed wretched?
Do you consider yourself a wretch (A miserable person; despicable or vile)?
Most of us probably don't think of ourselves as despicable, or vile, in fact we probably think we are pretty good folks. The truth is that God sees us as His enemies, as wretches before we become His children. Our thoughts and our actions are indeed wicked compared to His holiness. If you think you are somehow exempt from this reality, just think about it for a minute: lusting after someone other than your spouse is adultery according to Jesus (hello thought life), lying, stealing, putting anything above God, dishonoring your parents, wanting what others have, etc. All things we are guilty of.
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not." Romans 8:18
For me, it was this very realization that I was a wretch that made His grace (taking my sin upon Himself and dying on a cross so that I, a wicked person, could escape the just punishment of Hell and instead live fully alive from now into eternity) so amazing - that made me want to tell others about Him, praise Him, and live my life for Him. He changed my life so completely, so incredibly...He died so I would know what it really means to live.
"...be led to the rugged tree, the one he cried not for His pain for our debt, the very same tree that He conquered death, it was unfair deal on the part of Christ, He got my sin, I got eternal life..." Shane Barnard, Breath of God
If you've never bent a knee to Jesus, believing Him, humbly recognizing your sin and asking Him to save you, won't you consider doing it now?
"Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." Jesus in the book of John, 5:24
8 comments:
Thanks for your encouraging posts! I always enjoy reading your blog!
So, so true!! Excellent post!
I've noticed that there are versions of Amazing Grace that take the word "wretch" out - too bad because it's a perfect description.
Oh, Sarah, thank you for reminding me what Jesus has saved me from! He took MY punishment!
Yay! How refreshing to read this on the Internet! Thank you for being couragous and obedient to God. I love how simple, how precious, and how powerful the gospel is. Another successful blog post. ;) Not to mention a great reminder for me, because it is easy to get caught up in the details of the "race set before me." Thank you.
What precious truth! It is good to remember the sinfulness of sin so that the grace of God shines as precious as it really is! I am one of those wretches saved by the the amazing grace of God! Praise Him!
I just subscribed to your feed and can't wait to join you for a cup of coffee and encouragement! Thank you also for the reminder that I need to curl up on the couch with God before I turn on the computer. Have a peaceful weekend! - Ginger
I pray that your invitation works powerfully in many hearts today.
ditto to all the other comments!
Such a great post, and pure and simple truth too!
Post a Comment