Because we all start very far from God (all of us), our reliance on God's grace is fully necessary. Left to ourselves, we are not worthy, nor capable, of becoming 'right' with God. Such 'right-ness' is accomplished only through Jesus, who died for our sins, thus removing all that stood in the way of our relationship with God. He gave Himself, and complete forgiveness, as a gift. That's why it's called grace.
Humility is required to admit our sinful attitudes, actions and character AND ask for Jesus Christ to forgive us and assume leadership of our life. Prideful people don't admit sin, nor do they ask for help.
Stay with me here. We have a relationship with God soley by His grace and our humble acceptance of it.
Now, once we are forgiven, God adopts us as a son or daughter into His family. Very cool.
Then what? Here is where it gets tricky, a bit (well, in a lot of ways, but I'm gonna address one right now). We remain super thankful for forgiveness and maintain a constant humility because we didn't deserve it.
YET...we really are a son or daughter of the King of the Universe. Think that through for a moment. This is a staggering idea. Full-on sinners, who trust in God's gift of grace (paid for by the life, death and blood of Jesus), who humbly trust the leadership of Jesus Christ (who proved He is God by raising from the dead)....are NOW a Son or Daughter of GOD!!!
Truly remarkable.
As a humble man or woman, how is it then, that we should live? How do we embrace this identity with confidence that God is for us and has accepted us into His family--with all the privileges such a relationship affords? How is it then, that we no longer live in the shame and guilt of our cruddy past, but fully enjoy the new life of adoption and redemption?
With a humble, confident, thankful spirit, we refuse to be taunted by memories from our past, refuse to be beaten back by those who 'remember us when...', refuse to believe that our relationship with God is now somehow dependent upon any future good works.
It is extreme gratitude that drives us to understand God and His love for us. It is humble joy that drives us to learn more about the relationship we have started with the Lord. It is love for Him that drives our desire for obedient faith.
And when we fail? Still a son. Still a daughter. Still loved by God the King of the Universe. We confidently begin again. We humbly thank Him for understanding our humanity and weaknesses and tendencies toward sin...AND WE BEGIN AGAIN
...and AGAIN
...and AGAIN
(and here is a bit of inside the church secret information from a 30 year church veteran)...EVERYONE who claims Christ as Forgiver and Leader must live like this (love Him, trust Him, seek to understand and grow in our relationship with Him, obey Him...).
And when (not if) all those who claim to be Christian, fall short...just like you and me...they begin again, and again, and again.
Not beaten down by failure. No need to quit or run from FATHER. But as a child of the king of the Universe, all of us humbly and confidently begin again.
THIS is living our identity. We are His kids. He loves us outrageously. We have the most remarkable opportunity, in a safe relationship, to grow in our identity, to become all God intends and to enjoy a personally loving relationship with the God who created us.
It's all pretty fabulous!!