Will the real Jew with confidence, please stand up?

Please stand up!

Please stand up!

I know this is probably old school music now, but this lyric resonated with me as I listened to the scripture and Sunday’s sermon.

In Philippians 3: 1-8, Paul reminds the believers that circumcision of the body or religious activities, do not earn your seat in heaven. The reality is we can’t earn it. And that’s the warning Paul gives us. And who better than Paul to give it?

Paul was the real Jew with confidence.

He did everything that was required to be righteous and, on top of that, he had murderous passion. But he found that those things are trash compared to knowing Christ.

He shouted “watch out for those dogs… those evil doers,” those who try to shame you and convince you that salvation is earned. To be honest, that evil doer is me sometimes, to myself.

But that’s not God.

If you’re like me, I forget that God only wants my heart. Not my actions, not my wit, not my style, my flare, my voice, my talents. He just wants my heart.

Now, if a man as beautiful and loving as God is, wanted nothing from me but my heart, I know I’d have no problem giving it.

Then if I can give my heart to something that is impossible and can never happen, why is it so hard for me to give it to the very real, very forgiving, grace-filled, eternal, perfect, ever-loving God?

Because I’m a sinner.

And how can something so perfect want something so flawed? Now that’s God!

I will never be able to earn my seat. Thankfully, He’s not asking for that, just for me to accept it.

Will you?

Categories: Acts17seventeen

audreyell

I am a writer, a poet. I peruse life like a storybook, a tale, where the ending is unknown but believed to be happily ever after. I am an attorney by trade. I am a singer, poet, and actress by desire and gift. I am a member of City Church of Sacramento and I am growing in grace and repentance. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and friend, all of which I am gratefully budding in.