The 28 Day Forgiveness Challenge — Day 25
I love the GPS system in my car. It’s an amazing piece of technology. I have even named that friendly voice “Ethel”. Ethel calmly directs my path and gets me to my final destination time and time again.
Yet, sometimes I choose not to follow Ethel’s directions thinking I know the best way to get me where I’m going.
When I do choose to go my own way, I hear Ethel calmly saying: “Recalculating.” She knows the end destination, and knows how to get me there. Even when I take a wrong turn.
In just a few seconds, she sets me on the right path once again. The thing about Ethel is that she doesn’t condemn me or berate me for choosing to go my own way. I’ve never heard her say things like: “How could you not follow my directions? What were you thinking? I refuse to give you any more help.” No, she quickly and calmly comes to my aid, and brings me safely to my final destination.
Believe it or not, this story is a great illustration of the Christian life. All of us from time to time choose to go our own way in life. We think we know what’s best for us and what will ultimately make us happy. So off we go down the wrong path. And Jesus goes right with us.
He doesn’t condemn us, or turn away from us. By grace, he moves us in the right direction. Even my wrong turns along the way do not keep Him from getting me to my final destination.
Because of the finished work of the cross, there is no condemnation for you under the New Covenant. Sometimes you will fail to heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and give in to the desires of the flesh. When you do, the Holy Spirit will renew your mind. He will remind you of His love and grace, and set you once again on the right path.
Forgiveness Challenge #25– When you fail, as we all do, ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and remind you of the gift of forgiveness. Remember this great truth – Your sins will not keep God from completing the work He began in you!
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Amen a thousand times over great analogy, thank you
Hi Bob,
It is a great comfort knowing that God no longer takes our sins into account, having already been conformed into His image 2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29, made as righteous as we will ever be 2 Cor 5:21, completed Col 2:10 and perfected Heb 10:14.
Personally, I believe that the verse in Philippians is not directed to individuals, as if God is going to someday improve us, or further complete us, but rather an encouraging word from Paul to the Body of Christ (specifically to those in Philippi) that God is not going to abandon them, even if Paul is no longer with them.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Phil 1:21-24
It had to be a bit unsettling to those whom Paul had nurtured, that he was now in chains, and perhaps close to the end of his life, but Paul wanted to assure them that God is the One, not him that is on their side, and will never leave them. He started all this in Christ, and will also bring it to pass.
In light of our already being made complete in Christ, this is how I understand that passage.
Hey Bob,aren’t all our turns wrong?Sounds like HE puts us in the ark,HE shuts the door,and HE keeps us dry.HE steers the boat.He docks us at our final destination.No tip needed.And we have anything to complain about?