This blog is an accompaniment to the Saveone A Guide To Emotional Healing After Abortion by Sheila Harper bible study. Hopefully those interested have purchased the study and reviewed Chapter One.
Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.
1 Timothy 1:12-14: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
The very first question asked in Chapter One was to describe how you picture God. Having been raised Roman Catholic in the 60’s, I had visions of God with and angry face, flames about Him and a staff, much like the old paintings from masters depicted in the books we reviewed in school. I was an adult when I learned that God’s very essence is LOVE. And how He loves us no matter what!
Paul was a persecutor of christians and admits his sins freely. Paul had known who Jesus was, what his followers had claimed regarding Jesus’ resurrection and about Jesus’ works while here on earth. Paul was ignorant and was unbelieving, but God was merciful and sent the Lord to Damascus and Paul believed. Maybe, like me, you grew up believing, but felt unworthy and doomed to hell. Maybe you just partially believed, but were ignorant to who Jesus was. Or, maybe your just like Paul. The bottom line, though, is – it doesn’t matter. The moment you chose to believe and wanted a relationship with Christ, God bestowed mercy and His grace flowed. It just happened. The goodness of our God is amazing!
Meditate on this significance of this scripture, please. Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death”.
Strength Through Words 