The decay of society. If you don’t love yourself, you can’t love others
The way we treat ourselves, we treat others as well. How should someone who hates himself because he keeps sinning love others? How should someone who is afraid of God and / or people really love others? “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Jesus in Matthew 22:39; NIV)
Are you surprised that frustrated and dissatisfied people cannot treat their fellow human beings graciously and generously? The old covenant law only taught: don’t steal; only in the new covenant does grace teach us to give.
Loving ourselves more and more
Anyone who believes and accepts the accomplished work of Jesus (that is different from saying “Lord, Lord” to him) is forgiven of all sins from the past, present and even future. Because of what Jesus did for us (making us blameless, holy and righteous), God can say this about us: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (God in Hebrews 8:12; KJV)
And so that nobody can ignore it, God repeats His statement two chapters later:
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (God in Hebrews 10:17; KJV)
You are free. No more condemnation, no more feelings of shame, but the certainty of our immovable reconciliation with God. What joy! That is why the gospel is also called “The Good News.”
- We are saints, who unfortunately still sin from time to time
- What does it mean to be declared righteous?
Rejoice! “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8; NIV). And pass this wonderful love and joy on to your loved ones.
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