Power-filled Positive Thinking Part 7c—Seven Reasons I Have a Heart filled with Joyous Hope as His Redeemed
In Christ, I am redeemed. I am set free from the chains of guilt, shame, sin and death. Why then do I still fail God at times? Why do my best efforts fall by the wayside when I with all my heart reach out to help a friend? Why am I still at times impatient with mom? Why can’t I live a life that fully Glorifies God in all that I say and all that I do? Why, oh why does my faith ever stumble and falter after all that He has revealed to me and done for me?
Christ, at God the Father’s command took upon himself all my sin so that I might be made into God’s righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5: “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” This truth is certain; yet, throughout this journey I still have this body. Yes, there are times that I would groan within awaiting the redemption of our body from its aches, pains, fatigues, failures, and sins. Just as Paul wrote: Romans 8: “23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
The truth that in Christ I am redeemed provides me hope to rise above my own frailties, failures, pains, and suffering to face each new morning with joyous anticipation of seeing God’s Glory revealed. Because in Christ I am His redeemed, beloved, blessed saint, I have nothing to fear and I have seven reasons to have a heart overflowing with hope. These seven reasons are:
1. God has paid the penalty for my sin and based on Christ’s finished work on the cross and God’s own honor—He will complete the work He began in me. Philippians 3: “20 the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
2. God who sees my heart will continue to intervene on my behalf here and now. He will intervene to transform my failures into blessings—so that all who see will recognize that it was God’s mighty hand that did the work and not my own. Isaiah 64: (amp) “4 For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him.”
3. God’s mercy endureth forever—my redemption is sealed forever by the Holy Spirit from that first moment that I accepted Christ as my Savior. Psalm 103: “8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever.10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”
4. God will strengthen me and raise me up on wings of eagles that I might soar above the circumstances. Isaiah 40: (TLB) “28 Don’t you yet understand? Don’t you know by now that the everlasting God, the Creator of the farthest parts of the earth, never grows faint or weary? No one can fathom the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. 30 Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
5. God will heal this broken human heart and fill it with His joy and His love. Psalm 34: “18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
6. God is Sovereign and if He allows any sorrows, failures and suffering to enter my life it is part of His Perfect Plan of Love and He will use it to point me to the only true source of Joy, Hope and Love which is Himself. Therefore, I can trust in His Heart. Romans 8:” 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
7. In Christ, I have peace which rises from the central core of my heart rising up from the truth that there is no longer enmity between myself and God. My redemption in Christ gives me that peace in the midst of every circumstance. John 14: “27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
I urge you to watch this video created by “Full-of-Eyes” ministry John 14:27-Timelapse As you watch this illustration and hear these words of John Piper I urge you to reflect on the truth of what it means that In Christ I am Redeemed
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©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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