Perfectly Weak

[Chateau d'If]

When you think of God, are you filled with fear and dread?

Until recently, my relationship with Him was not full. I think the problem was that I viewed God as a harsh disciplinarian who would only love me if I imitated Him perfectly.

The pressure to earn God's love and approval made my life a living Hell. I followed after legalism with all of my heart. I preached all of the rules, and did my best to live by them, only to hate myself for not being able to.

A few months ago, a precious friend of mine died at the age of 92. In the weeks leading up to his death, he expressed fear of Hell. This, even though he was a kind, generous Christian who had lived the Apostolic faith with all of its rules and regulations in manner that would put most of us to shame.

As he slipped away, we did our best to reassure him that God loved him, and would not abandon him in his time of need, but I'm not sure he ever really felt safe or comfortable. He was too worried that he had fallen short in one way or another.

In the months since he passed, I have examined how my theology informs my relationship with God and have decided that there is no way that I can ever please Him. I'm fairly confident that my very best efforts will fall horribly short. This frightens me beyond words.

The Bible says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," and that there "is none good, no not one." I began to wonder, "if it's not possible for me to be good, how will I ever please God?" It's obvious that obeying Acts 2:38 isn't enough to please God, and that following all of the Apostolic standards isn't enough. So, I've learned that even though I have obeyed Acts 2:38, and have lived by those standards, I could still be headed to Hell...

At this point I've began to realize that any god that would send me to Hell for not being capable to follow His rules would be an unjust god. That god would be a childish god. An unreasonable and unfair god. I've asked God to reveal Himself to me, and to ease this fear in me. I do not want to go to my grave with fear in my heart. If I am to continue "living" for Him I wanted an assurance that He loves me, and that He is not searching for a rules infraction that will keep me away from Him forever.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul spoke of a thorn in his flesh. Three times he asked the Lord to remove it. Instead the Lord said "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

I do not have the assurance I long for just yet, but if Jesus can accept Paul with imperfections I'm hoping He will accept me too. I am learning that Jesus saves. Nothing more. Nothing less. I need Him now more than ever.

I am becoming perfectly weak.

[OneAccord]

And, while you didn't ask for comment or opinion, I'll offer mine anyway. I think you are in the position many of here, or most of us, have been in at one point in our lives. Trying to measure up to a standard no one can possibly measure up to. And feeling we have failed miserably. And being afraid of falling short.

And we have fallen short. But you know, the Bible predicted that, yes, we would fall short. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God". Now, I know there are those who say they never sin, and that they've reached perfection and thats all well and good (if it were true). But the cold hard fact is that on our very best day, we stll "fall short of the Glory of God". None of us measure up. (Note to those who think they do: 1Cr 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. All of our good works in "towing the line" are woefully inadequate to score us points with God.

The good news is this: We don't have to tow the line to earn God's love.. We don't have to be perfect. Sure, we're told we are to "Strive for perfection...", but thats just it. Work toward, try to get there, but in the end, we'll fall short. But don't you see? Thats why we need Him. The Bible tells us that we who are born again do not commit sin. But then, He adds a qualifier: "But, and if you sin, you have an advocate with the Father..." Of course we will fall short... God designed it that way so we will always be dependent on Him and His mercy. And, on His grace.

The other good news is that you are reaching that place in your life where you are beginning to really understand that your salvation is really about faith, and not about works. The brother you spoke of was having a problem realizing that it is his faith in Jesus alone that saved him, and not his works. He, like you, and me and many others here, had been force fed the idea that something as precious as the salvation of ones soul could not possibly be based on faith alone. It had to be more complicated than that. But it isn't. The brother, as well as you, I'm sure, followed God's Plan of Salvation. What else is there, but to keep following the Lord to the best of your ability. Afraid of falling short? You will. Everyone, including the Apostle Paul, falls short. Thats why Jesus is there as our Advocate- we did our best, and for Him, thats good enough.

How can we possibly please God? "Without faith it is impossible to please God..." Faith isn't just believing God for a miracle. Faith is trusting Him. Trusting Him to keep us, trusting Him to accept us on the basis of, not the works of our own righteousness, but rather on, well, on our trust in Him.

[Cindy]

Oh God, thank you for these two men. Humbly they come and bring words to us that resonate in our hearts. Both the fear, and yet the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. The Author and finisher of our Faith.

[OneAccord]

Cindy, are you thanking God for me? The last time anyone ever said that about me was back in my preaching days. They said, "Thank God, he finally shut up!"

[A.W. Bowman]

Well said, OA, well said.

As long as there are people telling you what is acceptable unto God and what is not - without actual scriptural support for their doctrines, then they are pushing the doctrines of men (Colossians 2:18-23), and not of God. Flee from such men.

There are scriptures upon scriptures that tell us of our freedom in Christ Jesus and the assurance that no man can take us out of His hand or of anything that can separate us from His love and protection, and that He shall complete the good work He has started in us.

Can one loose their salvation? Of course they can, but it is not like loosing one's car keys! It takes a deliberate act of turning away from God, after one has received the Holy Spirit and having walked in that Spirit (Heb. 6:1-15 +).

One of my favorite salvation summation passages is this one: Ephesians 2:5-22. The other one is Acts 2:21, the quoting of Joel.

Be at peace with God and keep your conscience clear before Him, for He is able to keep you, even if (when) you fall (Jude 1:20-25).

Amen.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Cindy, are you thanking God for me? The last time anyone ever said that about me was back in my preaching days. They said, "Thank God, he finally shut up!"

Yes, I am OA. You don't "speak" often enough for me.