Saturday September 27th, 2014 Philippians 2:1-13
?for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (verse 13)
As a person who was born and raised as a Lutheran, I know that it is not good works that will get me into heaven. I know that I will go to heaven because Jesus Christ died for my sins. I don’t have to do anything to get to heaven.
Have you ever tried explaining that to someone? It’s not an easy concept to explain. The first reaction I often get is, “You can do whatever you want? Sin as much as you want and you will go to heaven anyway? Sweet!” That’s when I explain that it is and isn’t that way.
I don’t want to sin and separate myself from God. I sin because I am human. God forgives me. At the same time I want to do good things because God loves me. To me it’s simple. God loves me unconditionally. I want to show how much God loves me by doing good things, by living a good life and trying not to separate myself from God through my sins.
It is because God loves me unconditionally and I know my sins are forgiven, that I am free to share God’s love with those around me.
God of forgiveness, help me to share your love through my words and deeds. Amen. — GB
Contributed by Wanting to Work
As a person who was born and raised as a Lutheran, I know that it is not good works that will get me into heaven. I know that I will go to heaven because Jesus Christ died for my sins. I don't have to do anything to get to heaven.
Have you ever tried explaining that to someone? It's not an easy concept to explain. The first reaction I often get is, "You can do whatever you want? Sin as much as you want and you will go to heaven anyway? Sweet!" That's when I explain that it is and isn't that way.
I don't want to sin and separate myself from God. I sin because I am human. God forgives me. At the same time I want to do good things because God loves me. To me it's simple. God loves me unconditionally. I want to show how much God loves me by doing good things, by living a good life and trying not to separate myself from God through my sins.
It is because God loves me unconditionally and I know my sins are forgiven, that I am free to share God's love with those around me.