Walking a life of glory and redemption

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is this, our God had the uncanny ability to draw wellsprings of life from that which was once proclaimed, dead, broken, tarnished, putrid and sinful. 

I know this because this is the very essence of humanity, and yet, He calls us by name, He made the greatest sacrifice in history not just that we would be saved, but that we would be used of Him to perform greater miracles. When Christ called people out as men and women of greatness, so often it was not those who lived a clean and perfect life, but rather they who faced their flesh and lost, but fell in humility to be redeemed. 

See, we walk a life with Christ not yet of perfection, but of perfect redemption. A life that reveals God's perfect forgiveness and a grace to change from the rubbish that we once were and to walk in the calling worthy of bearing the name of Christ. See Jesus said this: “I tell you, her sins — and they are many — have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love." (‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭47‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

For it is through such incredible forgiveness, such astounding grace that we so often find a passion and love for Christ. Of course, as Paul said, we should not sin more and more that His grace may abound, but rather that we would use that which has already been given to call us into a deeper intimacy with Him and that through that we would begin to change the course of history. 

I speak these things over your lives today that you would look upon the hardships that you’ve faced, the wrongs that you have been forgiven of, and the incredible future that our God has placed before you, and you would surrender in a new way today to be used of Him. Recognize the great forgiveness and love that you have received that you would walk now in a new glory and a recognition of the great power that you have to love others. 

It is time to share our testimonies with a new level of strength and power through the Holy Spirit. Yes, we were broken, yes we were sinners, and yes, everything done in our own efforts are fruitless, but know this, the Mighty hand of God is upon you who read this today, and if you will allow Him, He will change your life, He will change your story, and He will transform everything around you until nothing is recognizable but all things are made new. Go out and be free from the burdens, and be released in freedom to change the world. 

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.