If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. – 1 John 3:21
Extremism is almost easier to recognize than define! Webster calls it “the quality or state of being extreme… i.e. Radicalism.” Defining extremism is challenging given the influencing factors required for description, such as value systems and political culture. Yet, extremism is real and it may creep into your spiritual walk.
You have likely met both a person with an overactive as well as someone with an underactive conscience towards God. The overactive person lives in perpetual shame, unable to accept God’s forgiveness and continually striving for approval. The underactive conscience is oblivious, not perceiving God’s presence, and sinning without concern. Both are extremes! What God desires is for you to have a realistic view of yourself and Him, resulting in a healthy life of faith.
Read the Bible and discover who God is. He is the self-existent Ruler of all things, Supreme Being, Creator, perfect in wisdom. His goodness is as deep in compassion as it is wide in justice. YOU are made specifically by Him. He completely understands you suffer from a disability of spirit that struggles with sin and a prideful nature. Regardless of the troubles, He loves you and has an epic plan to heal you and give you an eternal life of joy with Him.
Manmade religions enslave you to striving. God’s plan for salvation frees you with a genuine solution to your sin problem through Jesus Christ and reveals your name as “beloved.” Pray for those serving America in public office to avoid extremism of all kinds, and find their identity in Christ. Ask that the nation will be blessed as God’s people walk confidently in relationship with Him.
Today’s Verse: 1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 3:1-7
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
