I sure did.
In my young mind and heart, it must have seemed too good to be true.
It was, and it is.
In the mind of a child, which I was, at the age of 7, I still remember great relief as I invited Jesus into my heart, and very real sadness for my sins. When I prayed that day, and confessed my sins, I knew that God was real and that He had heard my prayer.
But, I didn't immediately and completely stop sinning, which I thought I should do... and when I asked for forgiveness, I thought... 'how can He still love me?' Did I really 'get' Him into my heart? I'd better do it again, to make sure.
Does any of that sound familiar?
Now I can smile at those insecure thoughts and feelings. They were based on me, and I already knew myself well enough to understand that I did not deserve this free gift.
Isn't that still true?
We know ourselves well enough to know we do not deserve salvation... and that's the beauty of God's gift, it was never about our ability to deserve it.
What I now understand is that His gift is free, and my ability to earn it never existed. It is mine because I trusted Him, and I am His child, forever.
How many blogs will I end with these words?...
Amazing Grace!
17 comments:
Sounds familiar:) i did it too, many times:)
Sonja,
Although I only invited Jesus into my heart once - and for all- I was older than seven, so that may be why.
But I have certainly had to do LOTS of repenting, again and again. Amazing grace, indeed. Blessings to you .
Grace upon grace.
There's where I am still.
Oh, my, I've never stopped sinning, I stumble and fall and the evil is laughing and mocking me. I sure deserve nothing at all.
Then I play my grace upon grace card and the old tempter has to fly.
Happens daily.
Truly Amazing Grace.
Thanks.
I think many of us can relate! Soo hard to wrap my head around. God loves me NO MATTER WHAT, He forgives me, NO MATTER WHAT....Amazing Grace, how can it be? : ) Enjoy your week!
So true and I know that I struggle with the same thing over and over. Trying to grasp how deep and how great God's love is just boggles my mind.
I liked this, it is a nice reminder.
I also invited Jesus into my heart at the age of 7. However, it wasn't until many years later that I understood the process of transformation. It took many trials and challenges before I truly surrendered it all to Him.
Love you,
Debbie
Dear Sonja
I've not been able to visit many of my blog neighbors, and I thought all along you weren't blogging anymore. But this morning I thought of checking your blog place, just in case... and so surprised and delighted was I to find out you were still around on blog world! I quickly scrolled down to read some of your posts I hadn't read. Congrats on your new grandbaby - Faith! Such a beauty she is. And reading about Sven's Bakery with such warm memories... made my mouth water. I was misty eyed as I read about the three year old Sammy whose short life ended so sadly... and who have not heard of Harold and Darlene Sala - His Back to the Bible radio broadcasts and free book giveaways to his listeners have surely given much substance and shape to my spirituality. Thanks for continuing to share your life with us your blog neighbors. You are truly valued and appreciated, dear Sonja!
Love
Lidia
I became a believer when I was very young - so young that I don't remember it. But, I'm sure that at least once I probably said it again...just to be sure!
The funny thing is this, though - I have spent my entire life loving Jesus, rejoicing that He is my friend. Walked away from living out that faith, yes. But, have always been so happy that HIS love far outweighs my *wandering*.
Amazing grace, indeed.
GOD BLESS!
I was five...and yet, the older I get the more I love the Amazing Grace gift and the more I understand I can't earn it...it truly is a gift.
I did the same thing, Sonja, and I think many people did. The older I get the more amazing the Lord's grace becomes!
Hugs~
The gift is so remarkable that we find it difficult to accept it. And we're notorious control freaks and we are insecure to boot. Oh yes, this all sounds so familiar. It is why I have loved reading Classic Christianity again and again and getting back into the books written by Paul who so clearly lays out the plan of salvation. Thanks for a thought-provoking post! (As yours always are.)
The older I get, and the longer I walk with God, the more I am convinced that every breath I take, is amazing grace. God's gift to each of us, that we don't deserve.
I too, prayed that prayer often, not knowing that it was secured from the first time. Amazing grace.
I think AMAZING GRACE will be sung from here to eternity. Oh how sweet the sound....
This phenomenon is the only thing that is TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE BUT IS!
Thank you dear Sonja for visiting today! Would you believe that when I went to France, I had prayed about finding believers there...then lo and behold, one Sunday as I was touring, I heard some "familiar" music issuing out of a back ally. I followed the music and there was a sign in French: ASSEMBLY OF GOD PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (I am from this denomination) and I entered....God answered my prayer to show me that He is alive and well in France. We had communion with real wine and chunks of baguette and we were praising His name, EN FRANÇAIS! OWOOOO, glory be..LA GLOIRE À SON NOM!
Anita
Oh my dear, sweet friend, leave it to you to summon us to a nod of recognition. Been there; done that!
Yes it is: amazing grace. I no longer doubt it either, but I do marvel at the shear delight of it.
Girl, I've been "saved" so many times, I've got stretch marks on my soul! Seriously, every year at campmeeting I walked that aisle - each time my heart stirred for the Almighty. I won't get theological on this one; I just pray to always have a heart to ask Jesus in again and again and then some.
Sweet, amazing grace calls for a response.
peace~elaine
Standing in the AMEN corner on this one singing Amazing Grace with you. For me, it is the very thought of how undeserving I was (and still am) of that grace that keeps me from ever being satisfied with a lukewarm walk. I pray that I never, ever, get over the desire to wash his feet with my tears and wipe them with my hair.
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