A Christian working to earn God's favor and approval is like Norma Jean working/acting to become Marilyn Monroe. She did it very, very well. Everyone loved her, but the love never reached her. She was always insecure. She self-medicated the pain of knowing that she could never be who people believed her to be. Norma never became Marilyn. How so very sad.
In contrast, consider the movie Princess Diaries where a 15yo daughter of a single mom is visited by her grandmother and told she is a princess. Her father was the crown prince of Genovia. Mia can't believe she is a princess but because she has ROYAL DNA she IS a princess. Whether or not she goes to Genovia. She was by birth royalty and always will be. Nothing can take that from her. She gets 'princess lessons' and blows it often, but that doesn't change anything, she IS a princess.
Too much of the church is Norma Jean trying to become what they believe will be acceptable to God. Trying to get rid of this bad habit and adding on that good discipline. All that work and they are no closer to God, no more assured of their salvation and afraid to get close to Him. They are tired, frustrated and eventually, like Norma Jean, hopeless. In Norma's case hopeless unto a drug overdose and death.
Praise God, the King of Kings that the truth is His sons and daughters are royalty. We don't need to pretend. We get to be who He made us to be in Christ. We are - presently - holy, righteous, complete, perfect, forgiven, a masterpiece, safe and secure, precious in His sight, chosen, accepted, adequate, His friend. We get to encourage each other as He matures us, teaches us and guides us in all things. Hello Princes and Princesses of God.
In contrast, consider the movie Princess Diaries where a 15yo daughter of a single mom is visited by her grandmother and told she is a princess. Her father was the crown prince of Genovia. Mia can't believe she is a princess but because she has ROYAL DNA she IS a princess. Whether or not she goes to Genovia. She was by birth royalty and always will be. Nothing can take that from her. She gets 'princess lessons' and blows it often, but that doesn't change anything, she IS a princess.
Too much of the church is Norma Jean trying to become what they believe will be acceptable to God. Trying to get rid of this bad habit and adding on that good discipline. All that work and they are no closer to God, no more assured of their salvation and afraid to get close to Him. They are tired, frustrated and eventually, like Norma Jean, hopeless. In Norma's case hopeless unto a drug overdose and death.
Praise God, the King of Kings that the truth is His sons and daughters are royalty. We don't need to pretend. We get to be who He made us to be in Christ. We are - presently - holy, righteous, complete, perfect, forgiven, a masterpiece, safe and secure, precious in His sight, chosen, accepted, adequate, His friend. We get to encourage each other as He matures us, teaches us and guides us in all things. Hello Princes and Princesses of God.
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