Once Were

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ~ Colossians 1:21

I am a sinner.  Yep, that’s right and hard to admit.  I don’t like that I am, but we all are.  In fact, we are born with a sinful nature and whether you like to believe it, or not, we all have the capacity to do some pretty evil things.  I know we don’t like to talk about it, we’d rather keep that reserved for the heinous crimes committed, but we all have the capacity; don’t kid yourself.  I also know that some of us deal with sin that is so secret we pretend it doesn’t exist, but our hearts and souls know different.  I like to categorize my sin, but God says sin is sin.  I don’t like to think of myself as evil, but we all are when we sin.  I don’t like to think of me being apart from God, but when I sin, I am.  I can’t imagine how much I hurt God’s heart when I choose to disobey, or sin.  I can’t imagine how much evil God sees on a daily basis.  I don’t ever want to think of myself as an enemy of God, but sometimes I am.  I need His love, mercy, grace and forgiveness every single day of my life.  I am not perfect and will never claim to be.  I will continue to fight against the sinful ways of this world and my flesh everyday.  I will strive to keep my mind, heart, hands and soul pure.  I am conflicted with myself the most when I let too much of the world creep in.  I was born a sinful creature, but I will not let that define me.  I have to be mindful of what I listen too, watch, reach and how I act.  I can choose to be a child of God in any and all circumstances, or choose to be a child willed by my flesh and this world.  I know my God loves me and the good news is I have been redeemed and reconciled back to Him through what Jesus did for me on the cross.  I am made perfect in His image for His glory, for this time and I am overwhelmingly grateful He helps me choose Him every day – sin, or no sin.  Let’s continue to walk in His grace and mercy everyday and put our sinful behavior behind us.  Let us rejoice because our sin does not have to define us.  We are who He says we are and we can rely on His help at any time, anywhere.  Glory to God! ~ Amen