Daily Devotional for Saturday September 25, 1999

Failure Is Part Of The Human Existence

Many of you are waking up, and there is one scripture that you need to hold onto today. Romans 8:1 tells us that, "Therefore, there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

Failure is part of the human existence. Each day we all fail to some degree. The Bible humbles us when it tells us that we have ALL sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Friday night is one of those nights when many seem to fail the most. A trip to the local bar or nightclub can often dull our senses and resistance and open us up to do things we normally would not do. Many use Friday night as a time to celebrate the end of the week and use drugs to get high. Many feel the loneliness of their lives to a greater degree and involve themselves in illicit sexual activity outside the bounds of marriage to try and dull the pain of that loneliness. Many fail in other ways.

My friend, let me assure you that today, God still loves you. Whatever you may have done doesn't change that. Let me add that there are usually consequences when we fail, but our failure DOES NOT change God's love toward us! The Bible tells us in that great verse in Romans 8:1, that if we know Christ as our savior, there is no condemnation. If God will not condemn you, why are you condemning yourself?

The Biblical formula is pretty clear. It tells us that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. First, ask God to forgive you for what you may have done last night. Second, stand on HIS promise that you are forgiven and cleansed. If that promise is true, than there really is NO CONDEMNATION. So my friend, quit beating yourself up...and get on with your life. God forgave you, forgive yourself.

Life is never easy, but don't make it more difficult than it already is. God forgave you, forgive yourself and start living again.