You Are Enough

Genesis 1:27 (KJV) Says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." I John 4:10 (KJV) Says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son (to be) the propitiation for our sins." Romans 5:8 (KJV) Says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  John 3:16 (KJV) Says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlastng life." I Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. I Samuel 16:7 (KJV) Says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  Romans 3:10 (KJV) Says, "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:23 (KJV) Says, "For all have sinned; and come short of the glory of God;

Genesis 1:27, I John 4:10, Romans 5:8, and John 3:16 are just a few of the many verses of scripture in God's Word that make clear to us that he loves us tremendously. In fact, God's Word tells us that he loves us so much that he sent his ONLY Son who was perfect and sinless to die on the cross for our sins. That is without a doubt evidence that God loves each of us so much that words can't measure it. I Corinthians 3:16 reminds us that as born again believers in Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God doesn't look at our outward appearance as man does, but that God looks on our hearts. Romans 3:10 states that there is not one righteous human being, and Romans 3:23 tells us that all human beings are sinners and that each and every one of us fall short of the glory of God.

The reason I chose the above verses of scripture is because there are Christians in this world who behave as though they have reached the pinnacle of Christianity, and have landed in a position of sheer sinless perfection.  These type individuals tend to talk down to other Christians who they personally deem are falling short in their walk with God. Let me state here that there is a huger difference in this type behavior, and holding fellow Christians accountable. I have witnessed Christians who place themselves above others as though there were some sin scale. These individuals are the same ones who behave in a holier than thou manner as they judge others, doubt the personal relationship others have with Christ, and question the salvation of others. For the record, questioning another's salvation is extremely dangerous as that's God's territory.  I understand that we should be able to recognize born again believers by their fruit meaning of course that they are kind, understanding, loving, serving God, showing compassion, and so forth. With that said, we must keep in mind that someone can be a born again believer and backslide. Even though that is not a state any of us want to find ourselves in, it is not a state in which God takes away our salvation. Another thing to keep in mind is that just because we do not personally see someone serve God does not mean that they are not serving him, when they are not in our company. Maybe they are serving God and opting not to brag on the fact that they are doing so, because they are not seeking the praise of men.

Most of us have found ourselves at one time or another speaking to a Christian who leaves us feeling as though we are not enough or that we're not quite there yet. The result of these type interactions and conversations can be devastating and  leave one feeling discouraged and defeated which is the polar opposite of how we should be feeling after having interacted with a fellow believer. We should walk away feeling uplifted and encouraged. A couple of great examples of encouraging individuals are found in Jesus and Paul, and we have proof of that as it is documented in the Word of God. There is no shame in needing to be encouraged and uplifted on occasion. It is not a surprise to God that as human beings we need encouragement from one another. His Word tells us that it is better for two to walk together so that if one falls there is one with them to lift them up.

We can find ourselves in trouble if we take our focus off of God, and place it on people. If we begin to listen to what others have to say about us and our walk with God then we are placing power in their hands that absolutely doesn't belong there. Your personal relationship with God is between you and him. Never allow anyone to cause you to question where you stand with God; or cause you to begin to doubt who you are in Christ. Remember the above verse of scripture taken from I Samuel which tells us that God looks on the heart. The heart is where our real truth can be found, and God sees it clearly. He knows what we think, how we feel, and what we are working on in our lives that we feel doesn't fit who we are as followers of Jesus Christ, Two people know your heart and those two people are you and Almighty God.

As born again believers in Jesus Christ we should have the desire in our hearts to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God. With that said, we are all a work in progress, and will be until the day God calls us home. In the meantime, Know who you are in Christ, serve him, love people, be compassionate, understanding, kind, and forgiving. Go to God in prayer and ask him to help you with the things that you know are not pleasing to him, and he will do so. Do not, however, ever let anyone cause you to doubt yourself or your salvation, make you feel less than, or leave you feeling discouraged and defeated as if you are not enough. There is a huge difference in being under conviction from God, and being made to feel less than by another human being. Don't let another human being set goals for you in your life that they feel must be accomplished in order for you to be on par in your walk with God.

If you ever find yourself feeling less than or defeated, I urge you to remind yourself that God created you in his own image, and that alone makes you enough. I urge you to remember that he loves you tremendously, and to keep in mind always that what matters is how God sees you; not people. Remember God looks on your heart, and that is not a skill other people possess. If you find yourself in a situation where someone is judging you, questioning your salvation, or attempting to cause you to question the strength of your personal relationship with Christ, don't allow it. Stand firm knowing who you are in Christ, how much he loves you, that you were created in the image of Almighty God, and that you are enough.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!