If we're already forgiven, why do we need to repent?
They say that hurt people hurt people. The same can be said of forgiven people — they forgive. When we realize that we truly are forgiven we're able to forgive the people who wrong us. There is so much freedom in that.
Even worse than feeling like you don't have enough is feeling like you are not enough. How can you hold on to grace when you constantly see all the ways you don't measure up?
You may have thought that surely by now, you'd be married, or have a baby, or be in better health, or have a better job, or.... How can you live with thanksgiving if you're living with disappointment?
So often we rank sin on a sliding scale from not-so-bad to really, truly awful. But God doesn't see sin that way.
Perhaps you are ashamed of something you have done or said. It follows you like a shadow, tapping you on your shoulder. How do you shake off this sin? Can God forgive you? Can you forgive yourself?
Does God's grace have limits? Are some people just too evil to be forgiven?
I grew up in a very strict environment. No TV, no jewelry, no competitive sports. Women wear dresses at all times and don’t cut their hair. It was the only way I knew to follow for a long time.
We can get so used to grace that we think we can sin freely and still please God.