Central Truth

Whoever God calls to be His, will be His. I know my past, present, and future don't and will not qualify me for Heaven. But God chose me and claimed me as righteous and pure. Therefore, when it comes to others' salvation, who am I to question the I Am?

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Reflections

There's a song/skit that we used to sing at church camp that went something like this (Disclaimer: You're about to time travel into the early 90's of Southern Baptist Oklahoma summers):

"I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed)
By the blood of the the Lamb (by the blood of the lamb)
I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed)
By the blood of the the Lamb (by the blood of the lamb)
I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
Filled with the Holy Ghost, I am
All my sins are washed away
I've been redeemed"

It continues on with different verses about what ways you can't get to heaven: 

"...in a miniskirt, because God don't want no little flirt."
"...on roller skates, because you'll roll right past those pearly gates."

But they all ended with "All my sins are washed away, I've been redeemed." (Find me in church one day and I'll perform the whole song and dance for you.)

Shamefully, sometimes I wonder, "Are all my sins washed away? Have I been redeemed?" Or worse, I condemn others by saying, "There's no way that person could get in Heaven, look what she/he/they did!" I can come up with a list pretty quickly of others' mistakes. Things that would "disqualify" them for Heaven, and an even longer list of mine. Why do we do that? Why are we constantly not accepting the grace God's bestowed upon us or quickly judging the person next to us on the DART cussing out his girlfriend on the phone? Is anyone too far gone for Christ's redemption? The simple and true answer . . . No.

Isn't that refreshing? God scatters our sins as far away from us as East is to West. Last time I checked, that's far! The grace and love that He wishes we would live in daily should be extended to others as well. Especially those who are difficult to love or who we deem "not worth it." God will redeem those who He chooses to redeem, regardless of their past, their present and future. No one, no one, no one is ever too far lost for Christ's redemption.

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Discussion Questions

1. Is there anything in your past that you hold onto that might make you think you're not worthy of redemption? If so, what is it and why have you held on to it?

2. God is big enough to take on our biggest hurts and wounds. Do you think God can handle your past situation? Why or why not?

Take some time to pray over your past heartaches. Ask God to come into your soul and heal those wounds that Satan uses as ammo against you. The Bible is full of people who are messed up and ordinary just like us! Pray that God can use your story to impact others.

3. Are you quick to assume the worst of others? Is it easy to think you are entitled to more in life because of your salvation?

God despises the proud and self righteous. Pray that He breaks your proud heart and poor attitude. Pray that daily your heart becomes broken for things that break His.

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