O Come, All You Unfaithful

Song: O Come, All You Unfaithful

Artist: Sovereign Grace Music

My sister sent this song into a family group chat. The lyrics speak directly to me, especially since I'm feeling unfaithful and unworthy right now. I allowed my fear, pride and shame to win out once again and skipped going to my church services today. This is the best time of year to go to church and I missed it. I also had some...disturbing dreams last night. The reason they were so disturbing isn't because they were scary nightmares, it was because they felt real. They dealt with actual things I've been struggling with that make me feel very guilty and ashamed. It almost felt like, as I was dreaming, I was also half awake and willingly having those thoughts. I don't know how to explain it but it made me feel gross and also....numb. Like, here I am again, struggling with these same sins and guilt. I'm so used to it at this point I have a hard time feeling just about anything at all. It's hard for me to fathom that Christ can really forgive me again. After I've promised Him over and over that I would stop once and for all and not make these same mistakes anymore. That I would be stronger and more resilient. That I would do X, Y and Z. It's hard to imagine that He hasn't given up on me and decided that I'm a hopeless liar and lost cause and that He's had it up to "here" with me!

The amazing, unfathomable reality is, is that He hasn't. When anyone else would have reached their limit and given up on me, He never will. That's the miracle of Christmas and the reality of God's grace. It's why He came to earth as the little, innocent baby and lived a sinless, perfect life It's why He was lifted up on the cross and crucified. So that He could take our sins upon Himself  and "gave Himself a ransom for all", "his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes" we are "healed."  That He took upon Him our infirmities "that His bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh...that he may know...how to succor His people according to their infirmities" and have such perfect mercy and love. His promises are sure. 🙏

Since I chose not to go to church today, I spent a lot of time reading in the Bible and these verses all speak to the guilt, shame and unworthiness I've been struggling with for weeks. It's not a coincidence that these were the verses I was meant to read today. 

"...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." - 1 John 1:5

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." - 1 John 2:28

"...for we shall see him as he is....And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." - 1 John 3:23

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not" - 1 John 3:6

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." - 1 John 3: 20

"...for God is love." - 1 John 4:8

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." - 1 John 4:16

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us..." - 1 John 4: 18-19

Grateful for these simple and pure reminders of God's grace, love and infinite Atonement. Grateful for Christmas and what is represents. Grateful for my Savior and the gift His gives to me every single day. 

O come, all you unfaithful

Come, weak and unstable

Come, know you are not alone

O come, barren and waiting ones

Weary of praying, come

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

O come, bitter and broken

Come with fears unspoken

Come, taste of His perfect love

O come, guilty and hiding ones

There is no need to run

See what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

He's the Lamb who was given

Slain for our pardon

His promise is peace

For those who believe

So come, though you have nothing

Come, He is the offering

Come, see what your God has done

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

Christ is born, Christ is born

Christ is born for you

MERRY CHRIST-MAS!! 🙏