Because I can never justify myself to God-I simply rely/trust/believe I am already justified.
-Darlene Gaston
The New Covenant God made with the world through his son has made it possible for us to be justified before him. Not by anything we do but because of what his son has done. So many people still live like they are living in the Old Covenant, trying so hard to justify themselves to God. This need to try to perform for God to look favorably towards you flies in the face of what was accomplished at the Cross. I used to be a Pharisee/Sadducee. I would bring condemnation in the name of helping people come closer to Christ. Yet, I woke up with three days I spent with God that changed my life forever. My perspective shifted in those three days and this is what I share with all I meet. This is what happened to me just like it happened to Paul:
“What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.” Galatians 2:19-21 MSG
It really is this simple. No hoops, no rules, no asking forgiveness over and over again, no people pleasing, no more trying to impress God…I realized God is already pleased with me (for more on this read Time To Really Live Free).
The other thing I had written in my journal that same day was this:
It is no longer- I am enough??? It is- I am enough! Enunciation and understanding of who you are and whose your are makes ALL the difference.
-Darlene Gaston
I am enough and so are you, right now right where you are at. My story is a long story. Who I am doesn’t lie in the decision I just made moments ago. It is within Christ. Plain and simple. It is that easy. My prayer is for each and every person to come to this understanding. I think I am in agreement with God’s plan on this because it is certainly his desire too as he created the way with his son.
May the God of Grace fill you with great hope, understanding and love, Darlene
