Drop One Hundred Sixty

Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (NASB2020).

There is a certain comfort in knowing that I am not anybody’s judge; nor are they mine. God is my judge. Jesus is my attorney and all my debts have been paid through Him. Who I was is no longer my identity. As much as the enemy wants to push me back into the mire of my past mistakes, I do not need to accept his accusations. I do not need to go back into mourning, as nothing in the past can be changed. The only thing I need to do is trust in the Lord. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He will guide my steps. I am called to love, as all are called to love that are in Christ Jesus. To truly love others, old habits and attitudes had to change. No longer am I held captive by resentment and bitterness. No longer do I feel anyone owes me anything. God is good. He loves me regardless. And because He loves me and lives within me, I am free to love others – faults and all. Can you say the same? I pray you can, and if not, I pray you can soon. I pray I can truthfully say the same tomorrow.

Father in Heaven,

You are Creator, Redeemer and Friend. Your love for us frees us to love others. If we have any resentment of bitterness against another person, help us to recognize it, confess it, ask forgiveness for our part in the offense (even if our part is resentment), and choose to forgive them. You love us so much. Help us love others as Your faithful ambassadors.

In the name of Jesus we pray,

AMEN