New and Improved...You

The Bible often refers to the "heart" as a metaphor for our innermost person, or core. So when God promises us a "new heart," He is offering a significant change in who we are as a person. (Rom 2) While that might not sound desirable to many of us, the truth is that we desperately need the overhaul that God is offering (Jer 17:9).

John 12 describes a group of outsiders who proclaimed "We want to see Jesus" (John 12:21).  Jesus has always been open to, and attractive to the disenfranchised and lonely. Do your words remind non-Christians of  that Jesus?

in the muck

The Bible condemns hypocrisy in famous passages like Rom 2:1-3, yet modern Christians seem to be known for committing this sin. Maybe the truth is, that we all stumble over seeing fault in others, without recognizing it in ourselves. Can you think of a time you learned that you weren't right, but had trouble believing it?

Saved - From What?

The first three chapters of the book of Romans gives so many examples of sin that every human will find at least one that they willfully participate in. While we might find this depressing or discouraging, we should remember that these indictments were meant to show just how loving God is and how much we need him. Can you think of a time when you needed to be loved?

The Church, impartial providers of love and kindness?

The Church should be a place that welcomes all kinds of people from all walks of life. The book of James describes this in detail, James 2:1-6. How do you respond to those who worship with you? Do you show impartial love that treats everyone as a spiritual sibling?

When considering our trials and times of suffering it might be easy to dismiss Jesus' sufferings as something entirely different than what we are experiencing. The good news is that Jesus does understand exactly what you are feeling and relates to your experience as if it were his own (see Hebrews 4:15-16).

Can you belong with God?

One of the great themes of modern life is finding your place, or a place to "belong." Christ invites everyone to join him and find a place of belonging with him and with those who follow him (Rom 1:6). Our belief that we must perform to a certain standard to be with Christ and his church is not only false, but it limits the love God has fro and wants to show to you.