So today we continued on our Christmas series which has been great, but todays topic of labels really, really sank in a bit for me. We all one way or another carry a "label" whether is positive or negative, one we have acquired by others or given to ourselves, we have one. Labels can be a nice thing to have when they are bringing our positive traits to the forefront of peoples minds. Cheerful, appreciative, friendly.. there are so many you could name off. I've never met anyone who didn't like being known as something uplifting or positive. Its the negative ones though that I am going to touch on in this post. The negative ones that are hard to talk about, that hold us back from things. Things like, trying something new, reaching out to new people, a relationship with God.
Trust me when I tell you, I have been there. I have labeled myself as so many things. I wont give you the list, but just know- if this is something you have done or do, you are not alone. We have to learn how to rip these labels off! If you feel you are unworthy of a relationship with Jesus because of your past, let me tell you right now- you are so wrong. I know it can be hard to fathom that God could love someone with a rocky past but let me remind you of something- WE ALL FALL SHORT OF GODS GLORY. We could never measure up to the perfectness of our Savior. Never. Stop letting your "label" decide whether or not you are worthy. Because you are. You are worthy of love. Happiness. Forgiveness.
We all have a past. We all have something we have done that does not sit well with us. We all have something we may be dwelling on and not proud of. BUT. We are all so lucky to have a forgiving God. A god who cares more about walking with you in your FUTURE than dwelling on the mistakes of your past. You don't have to be cleansed of your past to walk in faith, you just need to believe and accept the love of Jesus Christ.
My husband and I were talking months ago once we started to attend church regularly. He was telling me how it was hard for him sometimes to be close to God because of his job. He is a soldier. He asked me, how could God forgive him for things he may need to do when at war? How could he really lean into his faith knowing the things he is trained to do to others? That he kept his relationship with God reserved because he would not be forgiven, basically.
I didn't have an answer for him, all I could do was pray and ask God to show him understanding and to guide him . Today listening to this sermon, it clicked.
My husbands label is "SOLDIER". There are many hard things he must do to ensure he gets himself and troop home safe. He has a job where he has to do things that go against the bible and God's word. His job though does not label him in God's eyes, when his day comes he can repent just the way we all can. His label does not hold him back from a relationship with Jesus.
If you are a just now finding your faith, if you are struggling with your past, I urge you to read this passage and always, always remember it.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
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