Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?  Does this mean nothing to you?  Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  Romans 2:4 NLT

For many who believe in Jesus the Christ, they still have emotions of being condemned or guilt and shame.  They feel God is disappointed, sometimes angry or accusing them along their journey through life.  Nothing could be farther from the truth! Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?  Not only are we free from the penalty of sin, but we are free from being condemned in it, as far as God is concerned. Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  It is his gentle voice of kindness (that is his grace) that brings us to an awakening that our emotions need to be renewed so that we can enjoy that life that is eternal. His kindness says, instead of feeling condemned, come let us repent with joy! Repentance is the freedom of an about face, to live and move in a different direction! When awakened by his kindness repentance becomes an act of worship with joy, without feelings of guilt, shame or regret.  Today rejoice in who you are because of the grace and kindness of our Lord.  This is a good day to turn from your sin, then, sing and make a joyful shout unto the Lord. You will enjoy every moment of it!  His kindness is new every morning. Enjoy!

Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises?  Absolutely not!  If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.  But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  Galatians 3:21, 22 NLT

What is so amazing about God’s promise is that it gives something to us that we cannot ever accomplish or obtain by ourselves. If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. So we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.  It is called grace and known as a new life.  This new life is given through what God promised his grace would do through Jesus the Christ.  Sin is the conflict of our soul and it has no ability to love; it can only lust because it is always self-seeking.  The law says do, Grace says done!  The freedom of God’s grace lets us choose how we will respond to our opportunities.  We can now see clearly the difference between new life (freedom) and being a prisoner to our sinful emotions.  Today let your let your faith in Jesus the Christ refresh your heart in who you are because God’s promise of freedom is only by believing in Jesus Christ.  His grace lets you choose what direction your thoughts and emotions will go.  We now know why we sing – “Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.” Enjoy!