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It was one of those days, the kind of day where nothing goes right. After the second tantrum in a row, I looked at my son and said, “You are going to have to calm down and get control of yourself or you’ll miss out on visiting your friends later.” It had been a busy morning and he was tired. I was tired too, especially of his emotional outbursts. He frowned, shook his head and said in a tearful voice, “Mommy, I can’t stop. I can’t get control of myself.”
My almost five-year old often has more insight than I do. As he’s reminded me before, he can’t always obey. This is a truth that took me many years to learn.
I can’t get everything right.
My pastor said recently, “You are not made holy by something you don’t do, but by something Jesus has done.” My growth as a Christian doesn’t happen because I stop a particular sin or get myself under control. Rather, it’s Jesus perfect life given to me. It’s His sacrificial death that secured for me a place at the feet of my Abba. And it’s because of Jesus that my Father looks at me and sees righteousness.
The ladies in my Bible study at my church have been discussing this in great detail. How do we grow in holiness? I used to live as though Jesus only saved me from eternal punishment, now it’s up to me to become a better person. Sometimes people view Christianity as an opportunity for a fresh start. They think that Jesus wipes the slate clean and they get to start over again. But this time, they better get it right. They try hard to be a “good Christian” and follow all the rules.
Only that’s not the gospel.
Tullian Tchividjian has said, “Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.” In reality, I’m actually more sinful than I think I am. But I’m also more loved than I could even imagine. No matter what I do, I will fail at perfection. I won’t get everything right. And that’s why Jesus came.
He knew that no matter how hard I tried, I could never be good enough. Out of His abundant grace, He took my place and was perfect for me. I’ve learned that no matter how much I sin, His grace is greater. No matter how many times I fall and fail Him, He forgives and covers it with His righteousness.
Once I finally learned that I cannot grow in holiness on my own and that I needed the power of the gospel and the Spirit’s work in and through me, I felt set free. Because trying to do it on my own was like running a race while being chained in place. Who can do that?
Living the Christian life then becomes a journey in remembrance. Just as the Israelites celebrated feasts to remember the ways God had delivered them and provided for them, each day of my life is a celebration of remembering the gospel of grace. Because I am so forgetful, I need frequent reminders. I need to begin and end my day recalling who I am because of Christ. I need to remember that it is because of Him that I have been set free. I don’t have to try harder, do better, or renew my resolve, for He has already done it for me. Each time I remember who I am, dwelling on His love for me, it overwhelms my heart with love for all He has done. What grace! What mercy! My love for Him spills over with gratitude and a desire to love and obey. This desire for Christ is what spurs me on to transform, to shed layers of sin, to walk into the refiner’s fire, to change into who He has already made me to be.
Because that’s what growth in holiness really is, becoming who we already are in Christ.
Sometimes I need my children to remind me that they can’t do it either. When my son reminded me that he was struggling and couldn’t win the battle that day, I said to him, “You’re right. You can’t. But God can. Let’s pray for His power to help you.”
Remembering today that I can’t, but God can, and He did.
Counting His endless grace #1833-1845
The gift of remembrance
Bringing our Pizza Night Family Dinner Game
The amazing discussions we are having in Bible study
My son loving the Lord of the Rings books
Pursuing my passion
Going out of town by myself to visit family in DC
Quiet hotel room, quiet car, just quiet
Going to my sister’s bridal shower
Celebrating my moms birthday
Visiting my old church and hanging out with an old friend
Hiking at Great Falls park
Perfect Fall weather
Linking up with my friends at:
Wow, I can’t imagine a trip alone! Must’ve been so refreshing for you! I love Great Falls. Not too far from my in-laws. I love the history there…it helps that George Washington is a personal hero
Blessings this week!
It was refreshing! I haven’t been to GF in a long time. I forgot how beautiful it is. And the weather was perfect!
quiet alone time! ahhhhh…..
love the rwminder of we cant geyt it right… need to rember to respond in such a way to my lilman
There is nothing like quiet to restore the soul. Thanks for visiting, dear friend.
I love the picture…and amen to this…we are not made holy by us doing something…but something that Jesus has done. blessings~
Thanks, it’s a favorite of my sweet boy:) Thanks for stopping by!
This part was my favorite:
My pastor said recently, “You are not made holy by something you don’t do, but by something Jesus has done.” My growth as a Christian doesn’t happen because I stop a particular sin or get myself under control. Rather, it’s Jesus perfect life given to me. It’s His sacrificial death that secured for me a place at the feet of my Abba. And it’s because of Jesus that my Father looks at me and sees righteousness.
So much meaty truth right there to chew on!
I know what you mean. I need to feast on gospel truths everyday and I’ll never hunger. Blessings!
Oh, how true! Thank you for this much needed reminder today. Blessings!
Thank you, Jenni!
Christina!! This is such a well-worded gospel message!
I always appreciate that about your writing, friend.
Really draws me near to Jesus.
Sharing this.
Thanks, Kelli. My heart often strays from the gospel truths and I have to turn back to it or I am lost. So glad you joined me in my journey today:) Blessings to you!
This was altogether beautiful, friend. Just like you
Loved it…
And have you read “Messy Spirituality” before? I kept thinking of it this entire post…It’s a short read if you haven’t!
all for Him with hugs to you,
Nikki
I haven’t. I’ll have to look that one up. Thanks for your beautiful heart and friendship:) Praying for you!
I feel free as well when I lay down my attempts to be perfect (that always fail) and rest in His holiness that has completed the work. I love the way you explain it here trying to do it on my own was like running a race while being chained in place. Who can do that?”
Also important to remember with our kids. Love the reminder that he gave you and how you used the opportunity to lead him to the Gospel.
Thank you, sweet friend:) I need a daily reminder that He’s already done the work for me. So glad you stopped by!
HI Christina - I really had a bad week this past week and I am so grateful for this post as a reminder that it is Christ that is perfect in me. yes, I need to come before His throne of grace and ask Him to cleanse me of all my bad behaviour etc, but it is not my behaviour that saves me, it is His grace, His mercy, His love. Reading this has refreshed me and left me more hopeful. And I also like what you say that our journey is one of remembrance, of all He has done and does for us. Thank you
God bless
Tracy
Thank you Tracy. I pray that He refreshes your spirit with the reminder that He has made you perfect and holy. Blessings to you!
Another needed reminder!! And I’m so glad that I’m “on the list”!! You’re certainly on mine! Hugs from the other one!
Same to you:)
Lovely. There is a line in an Audrey Assad song that says: “I know that/you’re more than my salvation-without you I am hopeless/show me who you are/ you are-the keeper of my heart…
It gives me goose bumps every time I hear it because it’s so true…I would be lost without Him. Such a beautiful love.
I love her voice. I saw her live once and was blown away by the combination of her words and voice. Blessings to you!
Sometimes I have to stop and pray, too! What a beautiful momma moment. This spoke words of blessing to me!
Thanks for your sweet words! And thanks for visiting today!
I love this line, “Because that’s what growth in holiness really is, becoming who we already are in Christ.” Yes, and isn’t it amazing how God does use our children to teach us. Beautiful words!
Thank you! Most of my life lessons come through my children:) So glad you stopped by!
becoming who we already are in Christ.
YES. Great gospel post today. I am sharing this one.
Thanks, Emily! Life is a journey in becoming who we already are and I’m so glad I’m not alone in that journey:)
You are such a wise mama! And, yes, if I could control myself I wouldn’t really need Jesus, would I?
Oh, so true! Our lack of self-control is a great reminder of our need for a Savior. Thanks for visiting Nancy!
The same gospel that saved us will change us… that is the way I heard it this week.
I love the lesson that we learn from our kids. Mine are grown and I learn so much.
Blessings on you, momma.
Fondly,
Glenda
The lessons to learn seem endless for me:) Thanks for visiting!
You and I had similar thought in our posts. A reminder that it isn’t about what we do but just simple trust - in the one who created us to worship HIm. And just that.
Yes, it is all about trust, isn’t it? Praying for greater trust. So thankful for you and I’m glad you visited:) Blessings!
Loved your advice to your son. We can’t but God can! I so need to hold on to that truth all the time. Thanks for linking up today!
Yes, a truth I need to remind myself of everyday. I can’t but He can. Thanks Eileen!
As the saying goes, “out of the mouths of babes…” Our kids can teach us alot, if we actually listen to what they are saying. Sometimes I get so caught up with ‘life’ and when my two boys start yelling and arguing with each other and they don’t want to listen to me - I tend to switch off and try and ignore everything. But I do pay attention some times and its amazing what they pick up sometimes and until they say it, you’ve been totally unaware. Thanks for this lovely reminder, that we cannot do anything without Jesus. God bless
I’m right there with you-the yelling kids and the desire for peace and quiet:) The few times I do capture a moment with my kids makes me wonder how many I miss. So glad you visited!
This is a topic I have never stopped and thought about…I have no idea why since it is such a great thing to think about. I really liked the points you brought up and the Biblical background behind them. Thank-you for sharing such a great study.
Candice
https://www.lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.com
Thank you Candice! I’m so glad you visited!
Visiting from Always Alleluia’s encore linkup - so glad I did! God’s been teaching me this exact lesson over the last year or so, and you worded everything so beautifully. It’s true - it has been liberating to finally realize that I cannot grow in holiness on my own, but must rest in Christ’s work on the cross. Is that quote from Pastor Tullian’s book Jesus + Nothing = Everything? Really great book!!
So glad you stopped by! I am a big Tullian fan:) Actually the quote is from a tweet of his.