The Hope of Easter

As I reflect on the cross and all Christ gave up for me, I often give in to pangs of guilt that I have so little to offer in return. Daily I fail miserably at living the Christian life. Daily I fall short of His holiness despite the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.


I found great encouragement in these words of Brother Lawrence:

We ought not to be discouraged on account of our sins; rather, simply pray for the Lord's grace with perfect confidence, relying upon the infinite mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has never failed offering us His grace at each action. I can distinctly perceive that grace, and I am never without a sense of that grace unless it is when my thoughts have wandered from a sense of God's presence or I have forgotten to ask the Lord for His assistance.


God always gives us light in our doubt when we have no other design except to please Him.


Our sanctification does not depend upon changing our works, but in doing for God's sake all those things which we commonly do for our own.

I will fail, and so will my kids. I should not wallow in guilt or despair, and I should not encourage or provoke them to either. Christ has paid the price, and rose victorious over death and the grave. We don't need to condemn ourselves any longer, but rather permit each falling short to reveal to us more fully the grace of God.


It would be an awful thing to fall, a sinner, in the hands of an angry God, but it is even a more incredible thing to find ourselves forgiven, wrapped in the arms of His measureless mercy.