Every now and then I’ll talk to someone who says they want to become a Christian, but they seem to think the time isn’t quite right. When I ask them why, they tell me about all of their sins, all of their shortcomings, and all the messed up things they’ve done in the past. I never argue with them about their sins, but I do push back on their assumptions.
They’re assuming that sin somehow disqualifies you from coming to Christ, when the exact opposite is true. Being a sinner doesn’t keep us from Christ; it’s the reason we need Him. If we wait until we look perfect to embrace Him we’ll be waiting forever.
In one of my favorite quotes, Charles Spurgeon urges us to stop looking to ourselves, and to start looking to Jesus. He says:
“O! You say, ‘I do not repent enough.’ That is looking to yourself. ‘I do not believe enough.’ That is looking to yourself. ‘I am too unworthy.’ That is looking to yourself. ‘I cannot discover,’ says another, ‘that I have any righteousness.’ It is quite right to say that you have not any righteousness; but it is quite wrong to look for any. It is, ‘Look unto me.’ God will have you turn your eye off yourself and look unto him.”
Righteousness isn’t what we need in order to come to Christ; it’s what we get when we come to Christ. On the cross, Jesus took the punishment that we deserve for the sinful lives we’ve lived. And when we put our faith in Him, we receive the reward for the perfect life Jesus lived. Isn’t that amazing?
It’s true that we’re not righteous enough, but the righteousness we need is found in Him. No, we can’t forgive ourselves, but the forgiveness we need is found in Him. We can’t just start our lives over, but the new life we need is found in Him. Everything we need is found in Christ! So what are you waiting for? Look to Him now.
David
September 12, 2013 / at 3:51 pm
This definitely blessed me even in walking out my faith. Can’t be reminded of that enough. Keep up the Ministry Trip!
VictorWayneHallJr
September 12, 2013 / at 5:13 pm
This could not be more true. Jesus died so the lost could be found. Not for the found to be perfect. No one is but him!
tshego
September 12, 2013 / at 6:51 pm
So true!! This is something I needed to hear!! Gotta look to God! Thanks Trip Lee
Regin
September 12, 2013 / at 7:16 pm
Such an encouraging word. Thank You. I really needed this. Keep up the great work Trip!
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Rupert_lange
September 13, 2013 / at 7:23 am
I couldn’t agree more. This is a problem people have when they first get to know Christ, but I tell them of the perfect example for this: Paul. A man who was doing one of the worst things on this earth, and he turned into one of the greatest disciples ever. This should show you how powerful God is, and that you don’t need to be perfect to be a Chrsitian.
Asong
September 13, 2013 / at 4:50 pm
i’m happy i’m found but i was once lost but now i’m found God bless u my supper star and keep on strenghening u and ur staff ur DG and all those that are contributing for the growth of Gospel hip hop for which i’m one love u
Kassy
September 13, 2013 / at 7:07 pm
Am all the way in Zambia,Africa and your blogs really minister to me I thank God for the good work He is doing through you. For some time this was me till I understood that even in all my sin and brokeness God still saw me as His child and could still love me…
AHL
September 15, 2013 / at 5:16 pm
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:21
I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he became Man so that he could receive our sins, sickness, diseases, sorrows, weaknesses and pain by faith. As a spirit of God, he could not have taken this curse upon himself because he was sinless. God poured out his wrath upon him when he had forsaken him at the cross. He took it all and died and went to hell for us! This is the LOVE of God! He paid our debt! And by his faith, he was raised up! THEREFORE, because He delivered me from the curse, because God so loved me, I declare that I AM the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD! No devil in hell will ever confuse me and tell me that I’m not good enough. No way! God SO LOVED THE WORLD that he GAVE his ONLY begotten SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!
ELIAS
September 19, 2013 / at 8:00 am
I praise the Lord for this website .Its so sound in doctrine,grace,love and speech. Keep Braggin on Jesus .. I loved your message from 1John Saturday morn at the UAC13 .. Keep the solid resources coming brother
O the Good Life book rock my life brother .. keep writting, the Lord really used that mug in my life . If you ever looking to church plant let me know
i would love to help out in any way I can .
Grace n Peace
Hebrews13:1
lerato
September 30, 2013 / at 6:24 am
wow this is great. been beating myself up because im not serving enough or properly. looking to Him now. great post man.
Ever
December 20, 2018 / at 8:30 pm
Dios usandote, gracias por esas palabras “Ser pecador no nos aleja de Cristo; Es la razón por la que lo necesitamos.” De ver que nunca vamos a poder ser dignOs ante él, pero el es bueno y misericordioso.
#builttobrag.