A Teacher and Her Tea: The Gospel

7/17/2011

I wrote this earlier this week about last week….

I had a hard week this past week.

Anyone else?

It was a week filled with a lot of alone time, with nothing to do. This combination seems to be a breeding ground for lies and temptations in my life.

There was a lot of wrestling and giving into weaknesses. Sick. I made myself sick seeing my thoughts, actions, attitudes, callousness of heart…

But this is what I found.

When I would come to the Father with a broken heart over my sin, he forgave.

Every. Time. It was like a quiet steady drawing me to Himself with strong arms of support.

This is also what I’m learning – that it is the power of Christ in me that keeps me strong in the battle. The battle is already won – it was won at the cross[a].

What is “the battle”, you ask? The battle is the battle between serving my self and serving the Lord. That simple.

In the midst of the battles I called a friend to keep my struggles in the light. As opposed to keeping them in the dark where they gain control[b]. It was freeing, and I felt much less alone.

I just wanted to hear the gospel.

I wanted to hear that I am a sinner. I am never able be good on my own, no matter how hard I try[c].

I wanted to hear how Jesus came and suffered on earth. He suffered, and now I don’t suffer alone. He’s carried my cross. I don’t have to[d].

Because he carried the cross – there is forgiveness. Because of the forgiveness at the cross I am no longer under the chains of sin and desires but I know have same power that raised Christ from the dead. Amen & Hallelujah![e]

So now as a believer – I live broken at the foot of the cross knowing it is not on my own power, or good works, or perfect life that I gain salvation. But salvation comes through faith in the Son of God[f].

The church of God also called the Body – is called the Body for the very reason that we all work together. I am not alone. The other believers, the Body, are here with me lifting me up in prayer, reminding me of the gospel[g].

The gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of all this I read this book:

The Calvary Road by Roy Hession