A: What a great question. I think most followers of Christ are wondering the same thing. When you recognize your fallible nature and you serve an infallible God it can mess with your head. I struggled for years fearful I would mess up unintentionally. What I have learned is, God really loves me. His Word and promises to me are true whether I mess it up or not. Let’s break that down.
1. God is love( John 4: 7:21) regardless of my abilities to love God back. God loved us when we were yet sinners(Romans 5:8). When you embrace this life-altering truth you can rest in this love. I have a few examples that may bring more insight. When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, I was on bed rest. I wasn’t able to drive my car, pick up my small children and not able to serve God in the capacities I had prior. I felt bad as a wife, mother, and follower of Christ. God spoke into my fog, “I will love you the same if you never get up out of that chair.” The revelation that followed was-God really loves me. It is not dependant on my service. He doesn’t love me because I teach Bible study. His love is not dependant on my roles. I would soon realize my husband loved me regardless if I cleaned the house or bought groceries. Love is bigger than what you can do for me. Love is not a 50/50 formula. Love is 100/100. I give you my unconditional love and expect nothing in return. It was a great lesson on what love was and I needed to fully embrace it. As you might assume, it was a life-changing moment for me. I have been able to relax in a love that is certainly not dependant on me. Another example is how a parent loves a child. You might get mad. They may disappoint you at times but your love is always there and always will be.
2. God’s promises for me are true( 1 Corinthians 1:9). The Bible is full of promises. If God did it once He can do it again. His promises are true for me. Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” It is by God’s divine power we were born into this world. God knew us before the world knew we existed. God does not make mistakes. You are here on purpose for a purpose. That being said we all have a calling. It can be exciting and overwhelming to settle into this truth. His promises are true despite of us. Can you mess it up? Yes, you can make things harder for yourself. Yes, you can delay what God has for you. Yes, you can decide to not walk according to His way. We have free will. I will provide some examples.
a. Abraham: God gave Abraham the promise that he would have a son from his own body. Abraham was impatient and listened to his wife instead of God. He had a child with his maidservant. He created a mess. Abraham did have a son from his own body his way. It caused strife in his marriage and the burden of having a son that was not welcomed into his immediate family. It had to hurt. It took time, in God’s time, Abraham had the promised son(Genesis 15 & 21).
b. David: David was anointed to be king as a young lad. God’s hand was on him at a young age. He became king at the age of 30 (2 Samuel 5:4). In 2 Samuel 11, we read about David’s sin. David was king. David was married and caught a glimpse of an attractive woman bathing on her roof. He lusted after her. He made it happen. He had an affair. She was also married. He then sought to kill her husband so that she could be his. It sounds like, a clip of dramatic television program, but it happened. David created a mess with his sin. He had to live with the consequences of it. However, David fulfilled his calling as King of Israel. He was of the house or lineage that Jesus came from. What an honor!
c. Israelites: A promise was given to Israel to enter the Promised Land(Exodus 4). The Israelites watched God battle Pharoah(Exodus 7-12). They walked through the parted Red Sea(Exodus 13:22). They drank water that came forth from a rock( Exodus 15:22-27). However, the Israelites thought more of their wants than obeying a God who met all their needs. The Promise Land was obtained but not by the original group. They were defiant(Numbers 14:2, Exodus 16:2) Their children obtained their promise(Joshua 1-24).
3. Our Confidence lies in who God is not in who we are. We all fall short of the glory of God(Romans 3:23-26). God wants to be first in our minds and hearts. He wants us to seek Him. He wants us to obey Him. He provides a way out when we do not. A truly repentant heart will not be a repeat offender. God cares most about how you love him and your willingness to obey than your flaws. He will accomplish His will for you if you don’t get in His way.
I encourage you to pray and ask God to lead guide and direct your path. He will be faithful to do so. When you see errors of your way repent and ask God to help you not to do it again. Ask God for a strategy for how to live. Read the Word. Obey the Lord. The Confidence comes from knowing He loves you so much and if you love Him then He will give the desire of your heart. Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”