VALGOOD

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” ~Romans 8:37

Have you ever felt discouraged? Maybe you’ve given into temptation and wrestle with the feelings of never being able to change. Or possibly present circumstances that you have no control over aren’t going your way. There are times that we just feel ‘down’ and unsure of how to move forward. I think that while we don’t see it at the time, these are critical moments in our journey.

So, what’s one way to continue putting one foot in front of the other (so to speak) to get us back on track rather than completely falling off the wagon? We need to remember God’s view of us.

Isaiah 1:18 reminds us that while our sins were like scarlet, the blood of Jesus has made them white as snow. Sometimes we get caught up in the past, remembering all that we’ve done wrong. This morning my reading lead me to 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Having remorse for slipping up yet again brings us to a point of telling God that we’re sorry and asking for forgiveness. Since we believe in Christ, we know that He has paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (just as we celebrate today, on Good Friday!). But the next part of that verse says that it leaves “no regret.” We must learn to move forward in this forgiveness. If we keep dwelling on it, it’s worldly sorrow and a trick of the enemy to stop our forward momentum.

So, the next time you’re feeling like you have stopped dead in your tracks, you throw back to the enemy exactly who he’s dealing with, according to God’s Word. Taken from my mom’s devotional Bible, Elisa Morgan (1996) writes:

Who does God say I am?

• I am made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)
• I am a child of God (John 1:12)
• I am a temple – a dwelling place – of God. His Spirit and His life live in me (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)
• I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)
• I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear fruit (John 15:16)
• I am God’s workmanship – His handiwork – born anew in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
• I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1-2)
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
• I am God’s treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2)

Can you add to this list? Think through your Biblical knowledge and try.

I thought of my study of Ephesians, how we’re adopted as sons so we have an inheritance (1:5), chosen and predestined according to God’s pleasure (1:11), sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13), and so on.  But, as I was mentally going through all that the Bible says about who we are in Christ, I thought of Romans 8:37 that tells us “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” The very next verse tells us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

No sin we commit, no circumstance we face, nothing can change the fact that we are God’s chosen children. I think about how much I love my kids. If they ever screw up (and of course they have already, they’re just little kiddos!), I am pleased when they tell me that they were wrong, agree not to do it again, and then leave the situation encouraged to do better. I wouldn’t want them to wallow in it and not realize just how much I love them. I want them to grow from their experiences. How much more God loves us and wants even better for us! He loved us so much that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised again so that we could live eternally with Him!

God doesn’t want you to be stuck in circumstances. If you’ve given into temptation, confess, repent and begin to live life with no more regrets. When you see temptation again, remember who you are in Christ. You are more than a conqueror! You are a holy child of God. You were created to be set apart, holy & righteous. You can live an abundant life because Christ died for you. Keep on moving! 🙂

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, even when we didn’t deserve it. Thank You for seeing us separate from our sin. Thank You for sending the final answer and authority over sin. Thank You for Your willingness to pay the ultimate price for our sins so that we can be free and keep walking in this journey You’ve called us to. Please help us know who we are in you. Help us recognize that the enemy is dealing with God’s holy, loved and chosen child. Help us grasp that that means. Remind us of who we are in You the next time we feel like we just can’t go on. Thank You, Father God, for giving us the ability to live an abundant life. Please make us healthy & thin for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

I remember hearing this song and being encouraged – enjoy it and remember who YOU are!