Forgiven.....

This morning at our small group after reading the second chapter of 1 John the question was posed, why should we try so hard to walk in the light, when we know that God's forgiveness and grace are infinite? We are given not only second chances, but many. We are told in 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Well, as I rushed out the door and had a 30 minute drive to my volleyball game, I thought about that for awhile. We all know what kind of life we should live, how we should be an example to those who don't know Jesus, a responsibility to expand the kingdom,etc. but why can't we just cruise through life, doing what we want and praying for forgiveness, still hanging on to the hope of heaven?

The goal here is not to just make it to the finish line. It's the way that we get there that is most important. This journey we are on is not to be taken lightly. We have a duty, a purpose, a responsibility, a great task before us. A responsibility to go to the ends of the earth so that all people can be touched by God's hand and feel the depth of His love for all mankind. We are to take this task at hand and cross all boundaries; cultural boundaries, economic boundaries, state, regional and continental boundaries.

And that my friends, does not allow us or give us the opportunity to just sit on our duffs and cruise through life hoping that someday we will cross through heaven's gates. As Rob Bell says, "God isn't just interested in the covering over of our sins. God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be. It is not just the removal of what's being held against us; it is God pulling us into the people he originally had in mind when he made us......It is one thing to be forgiven; it is another thing to become more and more and more the person God made you to be. "

"If we only have a legal transaction understanding of salvation in which we are forgiven of our sins so we can go to heaven, then salvation essentially becomes a ticket to somewhere else. In this understanding eternity is something that kicks in when we die." Further explained, "The Bible paints a much larger picture of salvation. It describes all of creation being restored.....Salvation is the entire universe being brought back into harmony with its maker".

So even though that we know that there are great things waiting for us in eternity, we still must find our purpose on this journey through life and keep striving to be who God intended for us to be. And I pray that I can keep my eyes, ears and heart wide open so I can hear God's whisper and be able to faithfully, dutifully follow His direction for my life.