Someone once encouraged me to preach the gospel to myself every day. I can tell when I don’t do this because I quickly forget who I am in Christ and the truths that change my day. I am more easily tempted to sin and more quickly in despair. When I do remember this discipline, however, I find that I am hopeful, encouraged, and at peace regardless of what happens in my day. Here are a few of these gospel truths that impact my day:
1) God saved me while I was yet a sinner. (Romans 5:8)
If I know this truth in my day, I can rest assured that no sin that I commit will deter God from loving me. I cannot disappoint Him in such a way that He might shun me or give up on sustaining me. No. He knew me in the worst moments of my life and still chose to save me through Christ. This doesn’t give me permission to sin. Instead, I hate sin all the more while loving my Savior all the more.
2) God will complete the work He started in me. (Philippians 2:12-13)
Becoming like Christ is certainly an uphill battle for me. I am prone to wander, Lord I feel it. This truth reminds me that I need not despair. He is growing me and shaping me in His timing and in His way. I can ask for His grace and help as He molds me to be like Christ.
3) Christ is no stranger to temptation and can sympathize with me. (Hebrews 4:15)
Praise the Lord for this truth! Jesus was not pretending when He was tempted by Satan. He truly was tempted. Yes, He is fully God, but remember He is fully man. He endured the temptation to its very end so that He did not succumb to sin ever. His strength under intense temptation tells me that He knows the struggle and has made a way for me to endure as well. I don’t have to give in. He will uphold me.
4) I will dwell with God for eternity because of Christ. (Revelation 21:22-25)
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our day that we forget our eternity. On the contrary, remembering eternity gives us strength and hope for today. My life here and now is not all there is. My future is with my Creator and Savior. Therefore, I can persevere in suffering, live holy, and indulge in the joy found in him alone. The “forever" puts the “now" in perspective.
5) God is not a trickster, that is more likely the Devil. (James 1:13-15; 1 Peter 5:8)
My husband and I have talked about this one a lot. When we have a difficult decision to make or are unsure of where God is leading us, sometimes it feels like we might take the wrong step even when we have prayed and sought wisdom. That’s when this truth helps us. We don’t have a God who is trying to make us fail or stubble. He has revealed Himself to us in Christ and in His Word. He is not hidden. He will light our path and guide us. We just need to be patient and wait for His cue. No, He isn’t a trickster, but Satan sure is. In fact, the Bible tells us that Satan does wait around for us to fail and stumble so that he can devour us. Be wary of mixing the two up - God is our Guide, the Devil is the Deceiver.
Regardless of what your day holds, these truths are constant. They never change. Your ups and downs may take you on a rollercoaster of emotion and thought. May we be women who treasure these things in our heart that our days might honor Him always.
Kristen Ferguson
5 Gospel Truths That Change My Day