IJohn 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
As I was reading my devotions this morning, I came across a commentary on the reading by Dr. Charles Stanley. The small excerpt was titled “Enjoying God’s Presence”. There were two specific parts that spoke to my heart:
1. “God is no legalist. He isn’t scrutinizing your actions or investigating your motives, in order to condemn you.”
2. “There is nothing you can do to become more acceptable to Him. His love for you is unconditional and never ending…Realize He enjoys being with you…”
My thoughts instantly went to how rarely I sit and purely “enjoy God’s presence”. So many times my mind wanders to “what should I be doing Lord”, “forgive me Lord”, “God I need more of you”, or “teach me Lord”. All things that I believe are necessary and biblical, but again, I don’t recall finding myself saying “God I’m so glad you’re here with me…PERIOD”.
I think about the passages that jumped out at me, how sometimes I feel like I put myself under the burden of over-critical examinations in regards to my ministry. Other times, simply not allowing myself to realize my position in Christ, when it comes to the Father’s love for me. But as I think about this, my thoughts go one more place…How is it possible for me to rationalize this love God has for me?
First off, I know God’s love is, apart from divine revelation, incomprehensible. So it isn’t really necessary for me to fully understand it in order to take part in it. But my mind doesn’t work that way, probably another reason why I don’t take the time to “enjoy God’s presence” enough. But I believe the Lord took my over-critical, rationalizing mind to the verse posted above, 1John 1:9 (you can reread the verse now).
While it is hard for me to consider our sin, God’s holiness, and yet Him loving us where we are, it all makes sense when Christ is put in the middle of it. I’ve thought about this concept of “instant forgiveness” recently and marveled at it. I’ve thought on how amazing it is that when I fail, when I mess up, when I fall short, my forgiveness in Christ is instant. Not because I deserve it, but because He paid for it. The sufficiency of Christ completely blows my mind and I feel myself holding back rambling on about it in order to keep this post short and readable. But a sinner like me is able to be free in Christ, free in my ministry, and free to enjoy His presence, because Christ set me free on the Cross. Not to be redundant, but I have instant forgiveness (and able to enter into His presence) because Christ paid for EVERYTHING already. I know there is so much more to this, but this is the process I went through this morning.
So if you are in Christ Jesus, sit and enjoy the presence of God. You are free because of Christ to do so! He loves YOU, yes YOU, just as you are.
