....Deserves Full Acceptance

This morning while I was going through my normal routine of getting ready to head out the door, I was thinking about a lot of things. One thing that kept coming up over and over was that I mess up all the time. I don't know why this was on my mind (or maybe I do, but I am just not comfortable saying...), but for whatever reason it was ringing in my head! My mind automatically went to all the people I have heard who have struggles with this same thing. So, for a second I felt the "at least I am not the only one" feeling. Then I began to search my mind for a scripture to comfort my thoughts....I was looking for something to get Satan out of my head and something to give myself some comfort. I thought of I Timothy 1:15, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- of whom I am the worst." For a moment I felt better, I am not the only one....

Then a phrase in the sentence started working on me...."deserves full acceptance.." Have I accepted that Jesus came to relieve us from all of our mishaps, let-downs, and screw-ups? Not only have I accepted that for myself, but do I realize that Jesus has done this for everyone else too. Even the person who keeps on sinning day after day....the person who keeps on hurting themselves and others around them....the person who when I look at them, I can't understand how they could keep on doing what they are doing, because I would never do such a thing....is that a part of "full acceptance"? I know it is...

When I read on in this passage verse 16 comes to life.... "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." Thank God for his unlimited patience! Thank God that he shows me mercy! Thank God that he gives us eternal life! I pray that I will fully accept his love and grace for myself and also understand that if I deserve it others do too!

Striving to be more like Jesus is my goal, but many times its very hard to do!

Just Thinking-