That morning when my children woke up, the elder one reported her younger sister’s bedwetting. She looked at me with a disappointing look coupled with shame. But my response surprised her and her sister; “You are a good girl. Daddy loves you.” The elder sister screamed; “Hey! Faith, you wee on yourself and Dad still says you are a good girl!”
Friend, Dad says you are a good girl! Dad says you are a good boy! You are forever loved. Never allow what happened to you to define who you are before God. You are forever loved (1 John 3:1). You are good, not because you are good but because God is good and is willing to show you His goodness. Your goodness is nothing apart from His goodness (Psalms 16:2).
Salvation gives us access to partake of God’s goodness. The goodness of God is what brings out God’s best in us. Peter was a sinner, yet Jesus showed him His goodness. Peter repented without any preaching; the revelation of God’s goodness was the message. He had a breakthrough in his breakdown (Luke 5:1-10).
You must not derive your identity from what you do but from who God is. If God is your Father, no matter what you do, you cannot be less than His son or daughter (Luke 3:21-23). Don’t let the devil rub you of your Father’s goodness. The prodigal son went back home despite his waywardness (Luke 15:11-32).
No matter what happens to you, go back home! Your worst day with God is better than your best days with the devil. Go back home! Let your confidence stem from God’s goodness, not your goodness or perfection. Rest in God’s unfailing love for you (Romans 5:5).
The gospel is simply good news. News that is too good to be true! Understand that, while God does not condone your sin, He does not condemn you either. God loves sinners but hates sin (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). Especially if you are in Christ, you have received the gift of no condemnation so you can go and sin no more (John 8:11). Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria