When I say I am a Christian....

When I say I am a Christian I am not saying that I am perfect.  I am not saying that I don't screw up often or consciously make mistakes.  I am not saying that I am a model of perfection or a judger of all things.  In fact, I am saying the EXACT opposite of these things...

When I say I am a Christian I am saying that I am a sinner who is forgiven by God.  But as to not just use a standard word such a "sinner"...let me explain..
I very often am a grumpy, impatient, stubborn, critical, distracted, complicated, dissatisfied, anxious, insecure, doubtful, dependent, lazy, rude, naïve, proud, self-conscious, pessimistic, incompetent, stupid, some times vulgar, selfish, needy, irrational, childish, over dramatic, predictable, indecisive, irritating... (wow the list goes on an on) person!  (That was actually easier than I thought it would be..lol).
But I am FORGIVEN!  I am a believer in Jesus Christ and I give my heart to him.  This love I have for him is what makes me who I am!  And despite everything I hate about me...I love who I am!

Jesus was sitting in a court yard one day when this woman (an adulterer) was brought in to be stoned.  He said to these men oppressors "Let the first stone be cast by the one who is of no sin (meaning the one person among them that HAS NEVER made a mistake)!!"  And you know what happened?  Even though there WAS INDEED one person among them that has NEVER sinned..everyone dropped their stones and walked away.  This woman, who was relieved and ashamed, approached Jesus and Jesus said "has anyone condemned you?" (meaning.."How many stones were you hit with woman?) To this she replied. "No". And Jesus said to her "I do not condemn you either (EVEN THOUGH HE WAS WITHOUT SIN) now go..and SIN NO MORE"!

I tell you this story because it is important to me, and though I have heard it time and time again in the three years I have been a believer I have never quite understood it until Scott Slayton preached on it this past Sunday.  Jesus is indeed telling this woman that she is forgiven.  Let there be NO mistake about that.  But the story does not stop there.  Perhaps the most important part of this entire example that God has laid out for us in his word is that we should GO...AND SIN NO MORE!!  He knows our flaws people!  He knows we make mistakes and he even knows we know they are mistakes when we make them.  But let me assure you that he doesn't love you any less because of them.  He loves you for loving him and for learning from mistakes and for loving him enough to be forgiven and by not repeating those sins! 

It is true that our slates were wiped clean when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and allowed him to enter our life and control it, but this is not a license to sin and have no guilt! 

There is a point to this...and here it is...

I am a sinner.  I used to drink (very heavily in fact...maybe one day I will tell you the story of what that almost led to), I used to smoke (right up until I got pregnant actually..only two years ago..you do the math), I still sometimes cuss, and I still occasionally drink, I occasionally lash out and disrespect my husband with negative talk, but I am forgiven because I make an effort to SIN NO MORE!  I do NOT judge those who sin.  I never will...because Jesus does not judge those who sin and Jesus does not judge me!  Jesus did not judge the woman adulterer, he loved her...and I love you as my brothers and sisters in Christ.

God,
I come to you today with a heavy heart for many people.  I pray that all those who feel like they need to have their lives together before they can come to you and ask you to enter it understand that you want them RIGHT NOW. I pray that you assure them that you will not condemn them and you will not judge them.  I pray that you wipe the dirt off their face and hold them in your embrace because God...Your love truly does ALWAYS save the day!  Life is not easy God!  You have called me to stand up to my oppressors and to be a woman of Christ yet you have allowed me to have such a sinful nature.  But you never said it would be easy God, you just said you will love me no matter what.  I love you Jesus..I love you with all my being and so much more! And though it seems hard...I will always trust in your love! Amen!