All Have Sinned and Come Short of the Glory of God? (Part 2)
I am continuing with Part 2 from yesterday’s message, and prayerfully the readers will understand more fully today what it means to come short of God’s glory.
From our perspective we sin and because of that, there is a need to ask for forgiveness to remain in fellowship with our Father. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1 :8-9). We are not sinless, but we should sin less. Always remember it is our spirit man that is perfect.
We are God’s masterpieces that He Himself so meticulously put together. For we are His workmanship [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well (Psalm 139:14). David understood how God felt about Him.
God sees us as sinless because Christ took away all our sins. When the people of God see themselves as sinners who come short of the glory of God, they will never be victorious. They will feel little of themselves and think that every time they fall into sin, condemnation is there and they hold on to guilt feelings, therefore, they are living below God’s standards, and they feel they cannot please God.
The truth is, the flesh cannot please God. But He is not talking about our flesh, God is talking about in the inner man (spirit). In thinking like God wants us to think about ourselves, we should never be puffed up with pride and think of ourselves more highly than we ought to; we should be thankful that we were in the number with the ones who were chosen by God.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). No one can be righteous (approved of by God) and unrighteous (disapproved) at the same time.
Paul addressed the people of God like this: To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).
He never addressed them as sinners, in fact Paul said - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you. But you were washed [cleansed], but you were sanctified [made holy], but you were justified [divine approval], emphasizing Christ's full payment of the debt for sin which liberates the believer from all divine condemnation] in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
If a person is still a sinner, how is he or she going to reflect God’s glory.
Example
Paul - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearance (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them (John 17:10). God is gloried in Christ and Christ is glorified in us.
Internet - God brings glory to Himself by His actions through His people.
My brothers and sisters, once we clearly understand that God our Father wants us to think like He thinks, we will walk in victory. If you had a child, would you as a good/godly parents want him or her take on your characteristics; to grow up and be developed with your kind of mindset?
To God be the Glory for the things He has done ~ Betty A. Burnett
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