“Fear-based repentance makes us hate ourselves. Joy-based repentance makes us hate the sin.” Timothy Keller, Counterfeit gods (pg. 99)

When sin hurts our heart, we tend to try and hide it or run from it. We get scared and pray for forgiveness in fear of what may happen to us. Fear of punishment. Fear that we lost ourselves and of what will happen to us. Unsure sometimes of how to get back to God and of how to forgive ourselves.

We tend to think sometimes that we would never fall into what we call “big sins”. Like having an affair or abusing alcohol. But in the end all sin in God’s eyes weighs the same. From what we call little white lies to if you decided to rob a bank it is all the same to Him.

Eventually our “little sins” will start to weigh on our hearts just as much if not more then our “big sins.” We carry the weight of our sins thinking that we deserve the pain and the guilt. But when we do that we never fully embrace the wonderful gift of forgiveness that Jesus paid so dearly for.

God does not put guilt on us. He convicts the heart to repent then wants us to rejoice in the forgiveness. To be joyful and at peace.

All to often though we repent in fear and out of guilt. The devil uses guilt to keep us trapped, to tempt us and to keep our minds and hearts off of God.

But the question is “Why do we carry a burden Jesus willingly took upon Himself?” (Pg. 103)

(The Mended Heart by Suzanne Eller. Chapter 5 Pages 99, 103)

I hope y’all like the beginning of chapter 5!

~Till Tomorrow~

~Jen~