I often find myself involved in strings about grace vs. works here.  Yet, for those of us who consider ourselves to be in relationship with Jesus, our King, the real matter is what my current state is.  "I'm saved, sanctified (made holy), filled with the Holy Ghost (with or without tongues?).  I pray to God daily.  I read my Scriptures.  I talk to people about faith and God and my church.

And yet...I sin.  My mind wanders, my words slip, my deeds are sometimes less than the best.  As Paul says in Romans 7, I sometimes find myself doing the very things I do not want to do, and failing to do that which I know is godly.

Then again, I love God deeply, and find myself running to him in sincere repentence.  I lay my wrong at his feet, and he forgives me.  I am reconciled to him.  Isn't the mercy of God--his grace--something extravagant and wonderful?

We can argue infinitely about whether I am saved or converted, and whether my faults will land me in the Terrestial, Telestial kingdoms, or even in hell (the outter darkness).  But today I know I am heaven-bound.  My Redeemer lives within my heart, and my haulting, clumsy steps toward him, do indeed remain in that forward direction.  Ocassionally I may misstep.  But He's there to pull me back--usually before serious harm is done.

So, I live in confidence today.  My Sovereign is directing me to the Heavenly Kingdom that is right for me.  I walk with joy, despite some hardships and setbacks.  And I love my Jesus--for He is mine, and I am his.  The Song of Songs is indeed about the love relationship between my king and I.  In the end, I fully expect, by his grace, and by my following in it, to hear those marvelous words, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into my kingdom."

Tags: Salvation Sanctification Sin Holy Ghost Lose Guilt Reconciliation Heaven Je