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I know a Man in Judea was crucified, buried and rose again in 3 days. And that when I received the Good News that I was pardoned for my perverse behavior of: (a lot of drinking, a little drugging, a lot of fornicating, regularly lying, a little stealing, backbiting, cursing...) I became free to change.
Everyone that knew me thought I was a moral, ethical, conservative Roman Catholic young man. Girls parents wanted me to marry their daughters, bosses trusted me with their businesses, my parents let me drive their car whenever I wanted to.
I was the epitome of self-centeredness. Chasing knowledge as the god that would propel me ahead of those around me. Believing myself to be inherently superior to other races, even though I enjoyed a diversified group of friends.
Now I can clearly see how petty a person I was. Having been reborn spiritually, completely changed my perspective of reality. My lack of character was revealed to me like an open book. The more I studied the Word of God the more I realized I needed a lot of help. Before believing in Jesus Christ, my character growth was backwards. My behavior was becoming compoundingly worse.
And yet, I was able to deceive even those I let in close, because I was unable to be really close to anyone. Having reestablished fellowship with the Creator because of His sacrifice has opened a potential for intimacy that I see only in other believers. My wife and I continue to grow so much closer that we can't believe how close God has allowed us to be.
The Holiness and righteousness of God is imputed to us when we receive the forgiveness His sacrifice provides. We can experience a purity in our lives that comes only from a closeness with our perfect God.