[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3742″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”Session 1″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:16|text_align:center|color:%23ff7905″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_custom_heading text=”Sinner vs. Forgiven” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23ff7905″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
There’s tension in our lives. We have to learn to manage tensions, because you can’t fight, resist or remove them – like you can temptation. We all have tension and it’s unavoidable, it’s something that we conflict with. One of the tensions we have is that we all sin, but we are forgiven because Jesus died on the cross for us.
We know we are sinners and that gives us humility, grace, understanding and compassion towards others and God forgives us, doesn’t blame us and loves us unconditionally. His forgiveness gives us hope and makes us feel thankful and lifts us up. Both of these are true and that is what create the tension.
We all don’t do exactly what God wants for us. We fall short. We’re not perfect but we weren’t meant to be. If you just focus on that it can be depressing and make you feel unworthy and stuck. But remember that God also promises us forgiveness. Paul says it like this, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8|1)
Jesus also forgives us for everything. But that’s not an excuse to do wrong or give in to temptation. We can’t just do whatever we want. When we think that it’s okay to do wrong or think or behave a certain way because God forgives us we can be cocky. We’re not on top of the world above other people because we’re forgiven. That’s the other side of tension. We also have to remember that, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3|23-24)
So while we know these truths it’s important to find a middle of the tension. When we don’t lean far on one side or the other we can be closer to Jesus and have more peace. Nothing that we do will make God not love us or not accept us. We don’t have to live in shame or guilt. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6|23)

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