The Great Lie

“but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:22-24 NASB95)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

I believe we have an enemy, and he hates everything God created and everything God represents. That means he hates goodness and righteousness. Satan hates life and health. He hates truth and love. We are told that he was given dominion over the earth through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). It is his plan to keep us separated from the love of God. Satan is a liar, but the great lie is often one we tell ourselves – “I’m okay”, or “I am a good person, I am certainly not as bad as other people in the world”. The enemy loves it when we believe we are self sufficient or compare ourselves to others. This viewpoint keeps us from feeling convicted and then we have no need for repentance or salvation. Repentance simply means recognizing that you need to change.

This world has become very proficient in helping us become self absorbed. I can fall for it as easily as the next person. Give me an advertisement about a hair product that can make my hair shiny, and manageable -I am instantly captivated. Well I used to be- maybe now the thing that entices me is a pretty dress. But worldly things can not fulfill us. They leave us with temporary happiness, because they will never fill the space in us that was designed to hold the spirit of the living God. God gives us new life. Life to our spirit, which then enables us to be filled with eternal things: joy, peace, love, faith, kindness, goodness, patience and gentleness. These attributes that fill us are the very nature of God. We become less consumed with things to fill our own lives and start living a life for others. No one is ever too far away from God that they can’t turn back to Him and no one is too old to choose Him. He loves when we call out to Him whether we are 2 or 92 years of age. We are His creation, His beloved. He sacrificed His only Son so that we all could go from death to eternal life. We just have to stop lying to ourselves – there is no other way. We cannot make it on our own, we are not good enough, but there is grace – the most beautiful gift given from our Heavenly Father.

It isn’t about anyone else, this is only about you and God. This relationship, this fellowship, this life-long journey cannot be walked out through anyone else but you. All who believe in their heart and speak aloud in faith that Jesus Christ is their Savior will have salvation. It is still the best decision I have ever made. It is my heart’s desire that each of you and your family and children to a thousand generations will make the same choice!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for revealing to our hearts a love like no other. You made a way to make us righteous through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this gift of grace that I did not deserve. Your love is the thing that fulfills me and sustains me. It has been amazing to see some of my own family give their hearts to you and have their lives transformed. I can’t wait to see you do it again and again and again. Amen!