“Every Christian I know wants to be better than he or she is. There may be an exception to that, but I haven’t found one. In other words, most Christians aren’t getting any better and sometimes are getting worse…but they really want to be better.
Do you know why most Christians don’t get any better or why you don’t get any better? It’s because you’re doing it wrong, dummy! You are obsessed with sin and your faith has become another “system of laws” whereby you feel guilty and try and try and try to do better. It doesn’t work, never has worked, and never will work. Only really shallow people keep doing the same thing over and over again with the same result, thinking that the next time the result will be different.
So stop it.
You’re just making a mess out of it. People get better by obsessing on Jesus and his love…not by obsessing on their own sin and disobedience. That’s what the cross is about, to wit, a covering for sin. So that’s not the issue anymore. Not only that, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to our account is a gift beyond measure assuring that God’s anger will never be directed at us again.
And, by the way, an obsession with sin may be the greatest form of pride.”
~Steve Brown
I subscribed to Steve Brown’s Key Life ….. and listen to him on my ipod. I find his teaching style very refreshing and down to earth. The quote is from his blog and made me want to shout “Amen” but the children are asleep……
Good to be Home 
Amen!
Thanks for sharing that with us this morning!
Amen! 🙂
I agree with this to a point…However, I do think we need to examine our lives on occasion to make sure that we so not have any unrepentant sin that we are harboring – and continuing to pracitce…but that should be done with much prayer, reading the Bible, and leaning on Christ to point out where He would have us improve. Not our wish list of what we have in mind as the “perfect Christian” but with our Heavenly Father pointing out what we should be changing in our lives. We should not strive to always be the same – we should strive to be more like Christ. Take His example and apply it to our lives. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph. 5:1,2
Like I said – I understand his point of not obsessing about our faults – but focus on God…
Awesome Shanda! I really liked this, too! Thanks for sharing. I know those negative feelings all too well. This was a help to me today. I think I’ll download his messages to my ipod, as well. Have a great Mommy Day! :o)
I understand why this is so refreshing!
Okay, I’ll do it then…..(cupping hands around mouth and in loudest voice possible shouts….) AMEN!!!
Shanda, I’m wondering if you are able to get my blog at all. Some people have told me that they are not receiving it anymore and since I haven’t heard from you in a long time, I’m curious if you are one of those people.
I’m so happy for you and your little one on the way. IT’s just so exciting to know that in just a little while you will be holding and nursing a sweet little one. Congratulations to you and your family.
Blessings!
Jana
I like that…. I am obsessive about obsessing on Jesus and His love!
i listen to steve brown every afternoon on my bus radio. he IS refreshing. and fun!
Thanks for sharing that.
WOW!!! I really needed this, thank you for always sharing such a right word at the right time!! I am in awe and speechless and will have to read this again to fully process it. Also can’t shout AMEN cause my kiddos are napping! 🙂
Thank you, Shanda! I appreciate you sharing this today. Have a great day!
First of all, you look gorgeous in your profile picture! Secondly, I’ve never heard of Steve Brown but what I am reading lately is similar to his message! What I am getting from all of it is simple; focus on getting to know God; let Christ live through me. Don’t dredge up the past or overly fuss about the future. I do what I know to do today and I usually have a pretty good idea about tomorrow. All of those “but what if” questions have to stop if I’m really trusting the Lord and believing that He loves me! Thank you for sharing Steve Brown with us! love, Gail
AMEN!!! Thank you for sharing this with us, it is just what I needed after my long day.
AMEN here too!
what’s that saying… “insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.” that’s what this reminded me of – i think sometimes we’re looking for the “magic potion” to kick everything into gear… but as someone told me recently, we don’t need any NEW truths – – just to apply the OLD ones we already know! A hearty AMEN (that i would shout too.. but i just finished cleaning our church and i’m exhausted.. and still HERE!!)
to the TRUTH that we need to obsess and focus on JESUS!!thanks for sharing this Shan~ hope you have a restful night. i’m looking forward to getting home to my bed!! 🙂
(whispering) AMEN! A good reminder that its not what WE do, but what God has done for us. We can’t “out do” God. I pray that I can love more like Jesus every day. No committee, volunteer work or other worldly task will do what God’s grace can. Blessings