I can come as I am to God; I do not have to try to be good enough. It is the same with you, and every person. God is rich in mercy.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2: 4-6, ESV).
Out of His love, which is greater for us than we can comprehend; God “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). God gave to us in this beautifully extravagant way, not because any of us have earned it. We are each dearly loved, and precious to God, but none of us could do enough to pay back the debt of our sins (trespasses).
Jesus Christ conquered our sin and death on the cross, out of His grace and mercy, in our place. Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2, NIV). By mercy, meaning we do not get what we deserve as Jesus took our place; when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are saved.
Jesus made a way for us to be saved and reconciled to our Father God. Jesus rose again, is alive and wants a relationship with us.
I smile as I think of the heart-warming parable that Jesus told about the Lost son (Prodigal son), in which a son left his father’s place with his share of the estate and “set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need” (Luke 15:13-14, NIV).
When the son decided to return to his father’s place, his father did not respond as the son had expected.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:22-24, NIV).
You may think that you could not approach God, and ask Him to come into your life, because of what you have done, or not done that you should have. You may just not realise that your Father God would celebrate.
“I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10, NIV)
Please know that it is not about being perfect; no human being is. Our Father God’s arms are open wide to receive you in a warm embrace.
And even for when you have been walking with the Lord Jesus for many years, remember His mercies are new every morning. In Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV):
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Even when we try our best, there will be times when we get it wrong. We should not live condemned, because that is why we need a Saviour. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17, NIV). We can keep coming back to God, and build our relationship with Him; remembering that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV). He will complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).
What I appreciate is that the Holy Spirit may help us by convicting us of things in our lives that need to change, for our good. God wants us to keep growing in life.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV).
God shows us mercy, and transforms our lives, to be all He created for us to be, uniquely you.
And as part of your life remember to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36, NIV).