There is something about expecting visitors that triggers a cleaning frenzy in my home. We work together to take care of every little detail, down to fluffing the pillows and lighting the candles. I love how my home looks when it’s ready for guests. But if you stopped by unannounced you would see a home that’s a bit more “lived in.” Wrinkly covers on the couches to protect them from the dog. Mail and other junk accumulating on the kitchen table. A collection of shoes scattered by the door. Let’s just say that on a regular day, my home is kind of a hot mess.
Much like our response to the news that company is coming, many people think they need to clean themselves up before they surrender to Jesus. They look at parts of their life and see them as too messy. They don’t want Jesus to see the junk mail on the table or the dirty dishes in the sink. So they wait until they get around to cleaning up their life to surrender to Him.
But the incredible thing about the grace of God is that it comes in the midst of our hot mess.
Paul wanted the Christians in Rome to understand this. Yes, mankind was on a godless trajectory headed for eternal consequences. We were sinful, wicked, truth-deniers, idol-worshippers, foolish, dark, and confused. We were full of every kind of wickedness. We were a hot mess. But God didn’t wait for us to figure it all out before He sent a Savior.
Jesus died for us while we were still sinners!
For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. – Romans 5:6 CSB
Think about the messy places of your life that you’ve tried to clean up on your own. The struggles and strongholds that you just can’t seem to shake. Those are the very parts Jesus came to free you from. He came precisely because you’re a hot mess. And He came because you are helpless to do anything about it on your own.
We were a hot mess, but then God sent redemption and grace.
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].
And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].
Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
– Romans 5:1-5 AMP
Wow!!!
God’s grace has brought us from wrath to favor.
We are declared righteous through faith.
We have peace with and access to God because of Jesus.
Our sin is covered by the blood of Jesus. It can no longer interfere with our relationship with God.
We can rejoice as we confidently & joyfully look forward to sharing in God’s glory.
We can even rejoice in afflictions because we know they are producing endurance, character, and hope.
The hope and promise for a follower of Christ is eternal glory. God is making us into the image of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. That process takes some pruning, but the pruning is being done by our loving Father with the very best eternal outcome in mind.
It is the power of God in us that cleans up our mess! In Christ, we are transformed from hot mess to hope-filled!
Father God, thank you! Thank you that you have justified me. Thank you that I have peace with you and access to you through Jesus. Lord, I rejoice in my hope and assurance of your great glory. Even in my suffering, Lord, I rejoice in the eternal outcome you have planned for me. Help me to lean in and trust you completely and give me peace even in the midst of trials as I rest in your love and remember you are in control. I am eternally thankful that by grace you chose me and saved me. Thank you, Jesus!
