Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: REDEEM (03/03/22)
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TITLE: Progress Not Perfection | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
03/09/22 -
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My wife, Frankie, came into the kitchen and said, “You better hurry we have to leave for church in fifteen minutes.”
“Church!”
“Yes church. You promised the next Sunday you were off you would go to church and her me sing in the choir.”
My wife discovered Mountain Top from her physician’s assistant Bonnie. Bonnie was a choir member and had my wife sign up after one rehearsal.
On the drive to the church there was silence. I thought of the time I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I went to church a few times but never attended a bible study. It didn’t take long before I drifted away from the church and fell back into my old ways. These ways led to a divorce. I figured what’s the use it is hard being a christian. I can’t do this.
Frankie entered through the back door of the church and told me in what area to sit. She would join me after the singing. The choir sang three songs. Frankie sat next to me with a big smile on her face. The head pastor Michael was preaching. I don’t recall the message but I felt I was the only one in the worship center. It seemed his entire message was directed straight at me. I felt refreshed as pastor closed out his message. There was an altar call and Frankie said she wanted to join the church and ask for prayer.
We met one of the deacons at the foot of the altar and he guided us to a back room of the church. We spoke with Ron, the deacon, and gave him our prayer request. A calmness flowed through me and I felt as if I belonged. Ron asked if we had accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Frankie said, “yes.”
I bowed my head. “About twenty years ago.” Looking Ron in the eye, “But I haven’t been walking the way God wants me.”
I talked about the difficulties I had with alcohol and drugs. The financial problems.
“Where do you stand with the alcohol and drugs now?” Asked Ron.
“I’ve been clean for fourteen years, and my finances are in order.”
“The Holy Spirit was with you.”
I sat up in my chair. “Ron it is impossible for me to be a good christian.”
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
“Because when I accepted Jesus I thought I would never sin again. When I did, I got angry. I would get so frustrated.”
“Let me tell you John you will never be perfect.”
I looked at Frankie and said, “Do you believe I’m saying all this?”
“Keep talking.” She said.
“The few times I tried studying the Word more temptation jumped out of nowhere. Even some of the old temptations I thought I got rid of turned up again.”
“Those things are going to happen.” Ron said. “That is why you must get into a bible study group. You study the word individually and with a small group. This gives you a sense of belonging. You were never meant to study God’s Word alone.”
We sat there in silence for a few moments.
Ron spoke up. “Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The sins past, present, and future. His blood wiped the slate clean. Believers sin. They ask forgiveness and repent from their sin. Jesus paid the price for our sins. I look at sin as a red flag.”
“Red flag?”
When I sin, that tells me where my relationship is with God right now. Then I get a chance to find out why I sinned the way I did. The death of Jesus freed us from the consequences of sin. Death.
“It’s becoming a little clearer for me. How do we get into a bible study?”
Ron handed us a schedule. “If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Let me know what bible class you decide on attending. I have your phone number so I’m going to call you on Wednesday to see how you are doing. I’m not going to let you fall through the cracks. Remember John progress not perfection. Lets close in prayer.”
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Excellent entry. Salvation is as easy as it is difficult to receive. And even after receiving it, it is impossible to sustain except by help of the Holy Spirit.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." Exodus 34.
1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
May your life be abundant and full and blessed as you walk with God all your days.
Well done!!!
I have experienced that same grace after being a prodigal myself for 20 years. What a message of encouragement to those out there that think it's to late to turn or return to Christ.
And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Luke 5:31-32