Can a Christ follower become a perfect follower? Can we avoid slipping and sliding down some rabbit trail that does not honor our Triune God? I have a lot of questions, but the guilt and regret I’ve experienced when I goof up can be disabling. I’ve doubted my standing with my Lord at times. But all of that is wrong thinking. I’m learning that I can call my Father “Dad” and He is always loving and full of graves and mercy. He continually invites me into His warm embrace, hugging me and telling me that k am His. One of the lies I’ve been baited to believe at times is that I’m not acceptable, unworthy of Hks presence. I cannot boast anything nor can I say my sin is my identity. He has redeemed me and I no longer live in a lifestyle of condemnation.
“You do not become a disciple, and you do not become a person who is content no matter what happens, unless you have chosen how to live your life. And that’s one of the biggest problems for us today, because the teaching of grace that we have has made us passive. And grace is treated as something that just comes upon you like lightning, not something that you make a point of cultivating. The disciplines are all about cultivating grace. So, in 2 Peter 3, 18, where we are told, as you know, grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. See, that’s something we are supposed to do.” - The Dallas Willard Podcast: #20. Living Without Hurry and Worry in “Such a Time as This” – a Letter from the Roman Jail (2004), Jan 27, 2025
“Whosoever abideth in him” does not practice sin (1 John 3:6). “Abide” was one of John’s favorite words. To abide in Christ means to be in fellowship with Him, to allow nothing to come between ourselves and Christ. Sonship (being born of God) brings about our union with Christ, but fellowship makes possible our communion with Christ. It is this communion (abiding) with Christ that keeps us from deliberately disobeying His Word.” - Excerpt, Be Real (1 John) by Warren W. Wiersbe
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