Skip to main content

What's your name?

   I want to share something. If it sounds a bit harsh, I apologize, but I do feel it must be said. Tell me your name. Yes, I know I can't hear you but say your name out loud. (If you say it loud enough maybe I will hear you.) Your name was probably something like Fred, Denise, Billy Bob, or some crazy cool name like Jessica. Why am I wanting to know your name? Well for two reasons: 1) I'm trying to make a point and 2) I'm trying to make some more friends I'm pretty lonely over here. Here's the point I'm trying to prove... Just like hold on to your hats because this is CRAAAZY. Ready for your mind to be blown?! Okay *ahem* Your sin is NOT your name. Whaaaaaat????!!! Crazy I know.

   Okay some of you are like "Well duh, I know my name isn't Lust". But here's the thing, you may think that your physical name isn't Lust but how do you identify yourself to Christ? So many times I've heard the very, I'm sorry but it is, very stupid excuse "I've done too much for God to forgive me". So basically Ms./Mr. Thief you are saying that because your name is Liar that God can't accept you into His kingdom. You want to know what I think? You are so stuck in your sin that you don't want to stop, so instead of accepting God's forgiving grace you come up with the idea that your sin is unforgivable and that instead of trying to live for Christ might as well live the rest of your life stealing, lying, cheating, etc.

  Let me tell you a story. A long time ago, in a village far, far away (enjoy the Star Wars reference) the Son of God was born to a virgin. (Virgin? Son? Makes no sense. Want to learn more? Read Matthew 1:18-25 or Luke 2:1-21) *SPOILER ALERT* The Son of God who was born to a virgin? Yeah... He dies.  Betrayed by His own disciple, this pure, holy, and sinless man is BRUTUALLY beaten and hung on a cross where He would die. The very people who shouted "Hosanna!" while throwing palm branches on the ground were the same people yelling "Crucify Him!" just a few days later. Beaten almost to death, Jesus was forced to carry His own cross... Yeah, the thing that they drove nails through His hands (or wrists). The thing He hangs from as His ribs begin to cave in and suffocate Him. Yeah, they made him carry that up a big hill. (Read John 19 for more description of the brutality He suffered.) Why did this sinless man suffer so much? He suffered to save the sinful person you and I are. He did not suffer for the "barely liar" or the "dirty thinker". No. He suffered to save the SINNER. 

  Here's some good news. Three days later He rose from the dead. Yes. Rose. From. The. Grave. No more dead. He lives. Jesus lives. Fulfilling prophecy (read 'Bible' for all prophecies that were fulfilled) He died, rose, and the ascended into Heaven to be with God. Jesus is a pretty cool guy. (Want more info on this super rad dude? Read 'Bible' for more info)

  So maybe stop making the excuse that your sin is too big for the God of all this wonderful earth to forgive. God gave up His only and pure Son just so you can be forgiven. Want to know your name when you are with Christ? Forgiven. That's your name. You are no longer the sin that you claim is to big for God. You are now the child of the one true King. You are forgiven. 
*picture stolen from Marissa lol*

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What the Millennial Church Lacks- From a Millennial

Let me start off this blog post with a background on who I am. First off, I am a millennial. I also am a pastor's kid who has been surrounded by the church her entire life. I have been to the small hometown church to the big, three-services-a-day church. I have been the PK running around, the staff member running behind the scenes, and the new comer in the corner awkwardly sipping the burnt coffee.  When I was 18 years old, I moved from the Bible-belt of California (Bakersfield) to Los Angeles. I began attending a church plant, only two-years old at the time, in the heart of Hollywood. For six months I got to church just in time for service to start and I was always the first one to leave. Through a twist of events I ended up serving as a staff member at this church. I love this church with my whole heart! This, being a new church in Hollywood, attracted almost 90% of millennials. After attending this church for two years, I moved up to Sacramento to a church that is alm...
3 comments
Read more

The rest of my life...

Let me ask you a question: If where you are currently at is exactly where God called you to be for the rest of your life, how would you respond? This question was brought up during a venting session I had with two of my closest friends. I have been thinking about it over and over again. How would I respond? I'll be honest, most days my response is frustration. When I have served at what I considered to be the "bottom" I was constantly looking to my next season. I was constantly praying and hoping for God to elevate me out of where I currently was. I wonder how many opportunities to serve Christ I missed out on because I was always looking left or right for what I wanted as opposed to looking straight ahead to what He was doing. Matthew 25:29  "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." That brings me to another question: ...
Post a Comment
Read more

You aren’t always David in the story, sometimes you are Goliath.

I truly believe I am one of the luckiest girls alive. I was raised in a Christian home, sent through private school, and surrounded by love from the most incredible parents, Pastor Dad and Mom. Growing up a PK, my parents did a dang good job at letting me live in a home of grace, corrective love, and freedom from shame. I saw God and Christianity through the acts of a dad who preached the Word and nothing but the Word and through a mom who always would, and still does, tell me to “just be you and forget what anyone else has to say or think about it”. I mean, at 16 they let me dye my hair bubblegum pink; something I clearly have yet to grow out of. I never saw my faith through the eyes of religion, shame, or judgement. Rather, I saw faith through relationship, grace, and the freedom and space to make my faith my own- however that journey needed to happen.  With that being said, I was naive to a world of those who declare Christianity yet spew hate, division, judgement, and so many o...
1 comment
Read more