Embracing Accusations

For most of the last year, God's been reminding me that the Good News isn't all that good until the bad news really is all that bad. It's difficult to celebrate the Gospel and His provision of Jesus as my Savior until I understand how desperate my need of a Savior is. It's been a tough journey at times. Seeing your own darkness is never easy or pleasant, but recognizing that God knew all of that when He chose to save me has been unbelievably freeing! I think I've told most of you (and some of you have told me!) about the song by Shane & Shane called, "Embracing Accusations" which paints an incredible picture of just that. Today, I heard the following statements from a sermon by Matt Chandler.

"When all the accusations of your heart start stirring up, it all is true, but it shouldn't crush you that you are those things. You have not surprised God with how lazy and lacking you are. God did not die on the cross, but now in 2006 have all this regret, thinking 'If I'd have seen these fools, I'd have never done that.' That's not how it plays out. All sins for all time were covered for those who are being sanctified. Which means, I am a scoundrel, but you know what? Being accused of that sure makes me want to run into Him because Oh the LOVE, of Sweet God, who has loved us enough to lavish upon us grace enough for Today! For right now, for right where you are. It's such a freeing thing!"

"The kindness of God and his grace is what leads the saints to repentance. ... It leads us to press into Him all the more, and not run from Him. That's why accusations actually, eventually become your best friends. It's in those moments when you become aware of how messed up you really are that the fullness of Christ is made aware to you ... You'll never know the fullness of Jesus as long as you think you can bring an offering He likes. You don't bring stuff to his altar, you come lay down on it. You don't bring activity, you bring you, with all that you have, becoming a living sacrifice. He doesn't want your bull; He wants you."


Shane & Shane - Embracing Accusations

Father of lies, coming to steal kill and destroy
All my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying, “cursed are the ones who can’t abide”

He’s right, halleluia, he’s right
The devil is preaching the song of the redeemed
That I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
Embracing accusation

The devil’s singing over me an age old song
That I am cursed and gone astray
Singing the first verse so conveniently over me
He’s forgotten the refrain.
Jesus Saves!