How can we improve?

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1.29

John the Baptist made this declaration about Jesus, and it is still deeply challenging for us today. We all have an awareness of our sin; we do things, say things and think things we know are far from the ideal God has planned for us. Many times you have probably tried to improve, either by making resolutions or determining to be different next time, but this so often ends in disappointment at not doing better.

The glorious truth is that you are not meant to improve by yourself. Father God knew you would not be able to do this on your own and this is why he sent Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.’ You cannot do anything permanent about your life, but Jesus can. He has willingly paid the price for your sins, so you are utterly clean and guiltless before God. It is the Holy Spirit working within you who gives you the grace to walk away from those things and thoughts which pull you from God. It is not your strength, but his.

What is also astonishing is that God doesn’t see you coming and think, “It’s them again!” Rather, he delights that you are turning to him, wanting to draw on his forgiveness and grace. At times you would probably rather wallow in your mistakes and feel you have to atone for your sins yourself, or that you can only come back to God when you have made a real effort. Nothing could be further from God’s heart; he is waiting with longing for you to come to him.

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