Today’s Motivational Monday is inspired by a sermon I heard yesterday. It was an incredible message and I knew listening to it, that I wanted to share this with y’all. Here is the recording of the actual sermon if you are interested.
Jesus will take you just as you are, but he won’t leave you as he found you.
This is great news. Jesus will take you/ accept you/ receive you just as you are. Many people have not truly experienced this. There are churches or people that don’t accept you just as you are, but JESUS does! Any baggage/sin/burden/anxiety that you are carrying when you meet Jesus doesn’t stop him from accepting you.
However, for today I want to talk about the second half of this quote…
But, he won’t leave you as he found you.
Basically, your salvation is what happens the moment you accept and acknowledge that Jesus is the risen savior. When we do this, it is a life changing decision. But what does it mean? How does it change your life? How do I keep my salvation? How can I ensure I have eternal life? And why do I still struggle to do what is right?
I hope I am not the only one with these questions. I know I can’t be the only one that struggles to live a sinless life, continually failing to do what is right, and fighting an endless battle mentally about my worth. I have good news. If you are a struggling christian like me, wanting to desperately please God. You are on the right track. Here is why…
…God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
Let’s break this down…
“God, who began”- salvation is the beginning. The moment you accept Jesus, God has begun his work!
“Continue his work”- God is working in your life every single day.
“Until”- God will not stop. He will finish what he started. HE WILL NEVER STOP WORKING.
“it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns”- we see Jesus face to face, we are in heaven with Jesus.
Personally, I find myself in the “continue his work” phase. I have accepted Jesus. God has begun his work in me, and he is continuing his work in and through me every single day.
How do I know if I am saved? Or if I lost my salvation?
My pastor gave us a single question to ask ourselves if we are asking these questions… Do you have a desire to please God? If you answer yes, then you are saved and have not lost your salvation. Also, if you think you “lost” your salvation, you never truly accepted Jesus to begin with. The bible clearly states that once God begins work in you, he will not stop until the work is finally finished. He will not leave you or stop working in your life.
Jesus, himself, says “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24.
This is not rocket science. Have you heard the message? Do you believe? If yes, than you have eternal life!
What if I have messed up so bad? Am I still saved?
Let’s stick to the ultimate source again, Jesus.
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37
God is not done with you. He finishes what he starts. He will never drive you away. God is on your side. He isn’t holding a clipboard making notes of all the things you do wrong. God is with you, behind you, and in front of you.
Thank you, God.
Things to Remember:
Understand the Battle: You will struggle. Your life is a process, God is working. You need to submit to the process.
Breathe: You are not fighting this battle by yourself. God is on your side. Don’t let Satan let you think God is against you.
You will be exposed: The closer you get to God, knowing the bible, the more imperfections you will discover about yourself. The closer you are to the SON, the brighter the light becomes, the more flaws you will see about yourself. This isn’t to make you feel guilty, but rather, make you better and more like Jesus.
Don’t forget to turn around: Reflect on how far you have come since your salvation. Recognize and appreciate how God has worked in you so far.
Never Give Up: God has guaranteed your outcome. Satan will come for you to make you feel like you are failing and should give up. God began the work, God is continuing the work, and God will finish the work.
My Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your promises to never give up on me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and working in my life every single day. Lord, I pray for anyone reading this blog, that they know you are for them, you love them, and you will never give up on them either. Thank you for my salvation. Amen.
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