Sometimes as Christians and as we grow in our faith, we can be so hard on ourselves. We make one mistake and instantly feel like a “Bad Christian” and put so much pressure on ourselves to be as “holy” as we can. We compare our walk with the Lord to others and instantly feel shame and like we aren’t doing enough. If we don’t spend hours each morning reading our Bible or go to every single campus ministry we feel inadequate. If I’m being honest I’ve been feeling this way a little bit the past month. It’s a very uncomfortable and discouraging feeling, I’m not going to lie. Sometimes we feel this way because of things we’ve done or simply because we're overthinking and comparing our walks (meeeee). But despite these feelings and thoughts, God’s truth reigns over it all. Nothing we do can ever separate us from God’s love. We can’t make Him love us any less than He already does and His love is greater than anything we can imagine.
Some more amazing news is that we are not saved through the good things we do. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” How amazing and refreshing is that? Only through the love of God we are saved, we don’t have to exhaust ourselves doing all these different things to get to heaven or earn God’s love. Our God is so kind and loving that He gives us the gift of eternal life for FREE!!! Yes, spending hours reading your Bible every morning is awesome if you have the time. Yes, attending every small group and campus ministry is awesome. These may be good for our spiritual growth but just because you aren’t doing all of that doesn’t mean you are a “Bad Christian” I know that for me personally I often find myself stuck comparing my walk to others I see on social media and around me. When I do this I just instantly feel bad about myself and my relationship with the Lord and like I’m doing so many things wrong and letting Him down. There is a reason people say that comparison is the thief of joy because it truly is. When I’m so distracted and consumed by what others are doing I can’t see all the amazing things that God is doing in my life right in front of me. When I compare my spiritual maturity to others I can’t appreciate how far God has brought me. What is so amazing is that God has a different and unique plan for each one of us. There really is no reason to compare because no one's story is going to look the exact same. God cares so deeply for us that He made a plan unique for each person, and that also just testifies to His power because that’s a lot of people to keep track of!
Yes, we may mess up during our time on earth but like I’ve said before He doesn't love us any less. And that doesn’t make you a “Bad Christian” We are imperfect beings which is why we need Jesus so badly and we are going to mess up, which is also why we need Jesus! His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). It’s okay if you mess up because we are going to at times but that means we can run right back to God and lay it all down at His feet. That is where His grace comes into play, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7. His love covers us and frees us from shame!
So if you feel like you are too far from God or have been feeling like a “Bad Christian” let me just tell you, that is not true. There is no such thing as bad or good Christian and no one is ever too far from God to receive His love. Stand confidently in your faith and God’s love. Do not let anyone or yourself discourage you in your walk with the Lord. Salvation is God’s gift to us and no one, not even yourself can move that. Be confident in God’s love and gift to us and know that you are fully loved and known by God. Don’t compare your walk to others, instead look at all the amazing things God is doing in your life right in front of you. And don’t forget to stop putting so much pressure on yourself, we are not saved or loved by God for all the things we do or how “holy” we live. We are imperfect beings in desperate need of the Lord's love and nothing we do can ever help us earn the love he freely and willingly gives. Walk confidently in God’s love and find joy in that!