And a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs
What makes a good friend? Is it merely a shared interest in something (or many things?)? Is it being able to laugh with each other to the point of tears and hyperventilation? Is it having someone to whom you can confide about your hopes and dreams? One of the defining aspects of my friendships is the freedom to confess when I've been or done wrong. My closest friends are the ones I can tell about my struggles with sin and my fight for holiness. These are friends who will pray for me, hold me accountable, and who never stop forgiving and loving me.
I realized today that it's often easier for me to confide in my best friends about my struggles, but I feel guilty about brining them before God. I know Romans 8:1 says "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," but I feel that condemnation and shame. Somehow, even though I feel those things when I talk with my friends, I feel more confident about their forgiveness and love to me. How can I forget God's, when His forgiveness and love is even more than that of my friends? Doesn't He show me more grace and forgiveness than those around me?
It's so easy to be swept up in feeling guilty and not understanding God's forgiveness. We have some weird idea that we have to forgive ourselves, when we really have no authority to do such a thing. God's forgiveness is what we actually need. And He pours it out in abundance to those who trust in Jesus. This is an astounding truth. We should have so much confidence in His love and forgiveness that when we fail and fall short of His holiness, we should run to Him first. Do not be of little faith. Recognize God's forgiveness and live in His mercy!
Astounding truth:
God's forgiveness and love > Best friend's forgiveness and love
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death...If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:1-2, 11
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16