Reasons We Follow Jesus: Jesus can help us after we fall

Some time ago, I was walking in a large crowd of people during a local street fair when I encountered a young Latino family. The crown was large and a little loud, and the young mama held her children close. She was calming one, holding another, and keeping up a pleasant chatter with the family, a big smile on her face the whole time. I could not understand what she was saying, as I don’t understand the Spanish language; at the same time, though, I could tell what she was saying to her family: “Calm down, I’m right here beside you;” “Don’t cry, Mama’s got you;” and, finally, I imagined, “Here, hold my hand, and we’ll all stay together.” It was a very sweet picture of a young, loving mother nurturing and protecting her family, letting them know she loved them and that they would be ok as long as they were together.

 

I have often thought of that young family, especially when I encounter a very different family situation when I am out in public! Not all families are loving and sweet, of course. Some parents allow the emotions and stresses of the moment to cause them to lash out in anger at their children, sometimes speaking hurtful words to their young ones. 

 

Those young mothers started the same, as innocent babies in their mama’s loving arms. And yet, this life on earth changes and distorts us and seems destined to keep us from our best! 

 

The Apostle wrote a letter to a young pastor named Titus and encouraged the young preacher to remind those in his church to remember that they were not always Christians, living a righteous life. Evidently, the Christians, who had grown in the faith and whose lives had improved, had become critical of their neighbors who were still living under the reign of sin in their lives. Paul reminded their pastor to challenge them all by saying, “Remind them to be obedient. . . uncontentious, showing every consideration for all men, for we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” (3:2-4) He went on to say that Jesus “saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done. . . but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. . . .” (3:5)

 

Do you see what Paul was saying? He challenged the Christians to be gracious and kind to sinners because they were just like them before they Jesus saved them! The Christians were in no position to criticize sinners because the only reason they were different was because Jesus had changed them!

 

This is just one of the great messages of the Gospel – God loves us, even in our sin! And, when we turn from our sin and follow Jesus, He will forgive us, ‘clean us up,’ and help us to live better lives. Our faithfulness defines us, not our sin; because of our faith in Jesus, we have another chance at life!

 

Jesus can help us after we fall. If you are aware of your sin, which is holding you down in life, let me encourage you to pray to Jesus. Ask him for mercy and forgiveness, and turn your life over to him. He will cleanse your heart, begin the process of rebuilding your life, and shower your life with blessings. This is the wonder of the Gospel!

 

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Thank you for watching. We will see you next week.