You dont have to live like this

I saw Rob Bell speak last night in San Antonio. It was a really good speech. Rob Bell talked about the sacrifices we make. False Gods demand our sacrifices to keep them happy, or is it that we as humans only understand a broken system of sacrifice in a feeble attempt to control the elements around us and draw favor from the Gods. Ultimately we have to keep sacrificing to these Gods because we never know where we stand with them.

Jesus is different, Jesus says, "you don't have to live like this." Jesus says, "I don't remember the last sin you committed." Jesus says, "I'm not ashamed of you." Jesus says, "I love you no matter what." Jesus gives us something new, complete forgiveness. He could keep track of our sins, have a big long list that we have to atone for when we die, but who wants to be in a relationship where every time you mess up it is written down and remembered. I don't, instead I want a relationship where I'm forgiven no matter what I do because my God wants a relationship with my that badly. That is my God. My God says stop killing yourself for me and live for me.

That is Jesus, he tells us to come to him broken and burdened and he will take those burdens away, all we have to do is let go. Stop sacrificing your life to your burdens and let your life, the way you live, and the joy in your heart be your celebration that you know where you stand in your relationship to God, you are special and loved and blessed. Not because of our own actions but because Christ said, "You don't have to live like this."

Amen