2Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2 (AMP)
"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise." Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)
"We find ourselves where we always hoped we might stand..." To punch through the crusty-ness of our existence and reach down and touch our hearts... and let the part of ourselves that has always wished but never dared, rise up and bloom outward... this is what Papa longs to do in us and through us daily. Papa doesn't burden us down with rules, expecting us to become what He calls holy in our own strength. He invites us in, offers us to take off our garment of life's burdens if we will, and experience the richness of life He purchased for us at the cross. "...let this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."(Matt. 26:39) For love, and the joy set before Him.. Jesus saw our sins.. and drank the cup anyway... so that we could be free. Simple? Yes.. heard it a thousand times? Yes, but let the reality sink in... Jesus drank in our every sin and every reason our hearts have ever condemned us so that we could stand where we always hoped we might. So.. don't let your sins drive you away... they've already been paid for. Shame is not yours... don't condemn yourself... Papa's already thrown wide the door of forgiveness...
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God's command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.
1 John 3:18-24 (MSG)
