We often think it’s our job to get ourselves out of our pain and suffering. We think Jesus is on the other side of our sorrow and that with enough faith, effort, or obedience, we will “break through.” What if God is not on the other side of our mess, but inside our mess comforting us? We have made God into a self-help guru who will help only those who are strong and obedient and worthy of His attention. The Christian life isn’t about striving for God; it’s about trusting God. It’s not about pulling ourselves up; it’s about letting God comfort us and keep us standing.

Is grace a license to sin? Are there consequences when we sin? What is God doing when we sin? 

In the last episode, we looked at how Jesus teaches us in temptation, but what does He do when we sin?

Jesus was tempted in all ways in order to help us in all our temptations (Hebrews 4:15). Just because you are tempted, doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.Temptation is not sin.The good news is that Jesus always gives us a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). As we look at how Jesus teaches us and how He gives us practical ways to deal with temptation, realize that these are not simple formulas that you can just plug into your life and bam, you start living sin-free.

Jesus’s teaching and lifestyle is summed up by one word—grace. He’s the full expression of both grace and truth ( John 1:14, 17). Some say we need to balance grace and truth. But grace is the truth that will set us free. So this is how He teaches us... Grace! 

If you’re looking to make a difference or be a part of something bigger than yourself, it doesn’t mean you have to cross the ocean. It can happen in your house or dorm, with your literal next-door neighbor, or at work. We get the awesome opportunity each day to just love those around us with no agenda.  

I was wrong about humility and my assumption of what God wanted. I now know that He designed us to receive from Him first before we can do anything to help others. Only when we put our mask on and get oxygen can we then help others put theirs on. Put another way, only when we let ourselves receive God’s love can we help others receive His love.

Contrary to popular teaching, you’re not designed for sin. That’s why when you sin, you feel regret. As a new creation, you discover you no longer want to sin. You’re designed for obedience and love because God has made you loving and obedient from your heart (Romans 5:5; 6:17). We have a new design. 

I used to think that if I tried hard enough, I could get God’s attention, and that it was up to me to reach God and impress Him and get Him to save me. Just like Zacchaeus, we all want to do more and try harder in hopes that Jesus will see us and like us. But that’s not what saved Zacchaeus, and that isn’t what saves you and me. It was Jesus who saw Zacchaeus. Jesus who invited Zacchaeus. And Jesus who saved and changed Zacchaeus forever.

Grace doesn’t follow me, and I don’t follow her. We’re in relationship together. We’re married. She would never describe our relationship in this way. Nor would I. And I don’t think the best way to describe our relationship with Christ is as followers. We’re in relationship with Him. The Bible says we’re married to Him. The disciples followed Jesus, but we have Christ in us. We have something better than just following Jesus. We have a living, breathing relationship with Christ in us every moment of every day.