UNCHARTED

I just finished Uncharted by Angela Hunt. She is a Christian author who writes in parables, teaching spiritual truths with earthly stories. I won’t tell you anything about the story itself as it's one surprise after another and highly recommended for you to read on your own! What I got out of it though I will share…
I’ve been a Christian now long enough that my focus has consistently been on day-to-day living and my sanctification leaving salvation itself far behind me. Sometimes I see someone just learning about Christ or recently having accepted Him and I remember how much fire I had back then as well. In those moments my ungratefulness for salvation confronts me head-on so usually I stop and pray thanking Jesus for what He did for me on the cross. Usually out of knowing I should be thankful, not out of heartfelt gratitude.
So I read this book and WOW. I am truly in my heart SO thankful for having my sins forgiven and having a secure eternity with Jesus. When put into perspective, what could this temporary life throw at us that could take our joy of this awesome truth? Like the apostle Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
Looking back at the sins I’ve committed in the past and the ones I currently commit knowing they are washed away…incredible. By taking the scenes from this book and looking into my own life I can see times when my thoughts and intentions have been cruel, selfish, and murderous – all the while looking so “together” and “clean” to the outside world. God can see our thoughts and He knows the motives of our hearts. But He’s not on a distant cloud somewhere scolding us – instead He’s within us grieving because He knows how destructive and hurtful sin is to us and to others around us.
It’s so easy to examine myself for sin in my life and once the “biggies” are ruled out to declare myself “okay” and move on feeling like I’ve pretty much got this Christian life thing nailed down. I ignore the hateful thoughts I have for the person cutting me off in traffic. I ignore the impatience shown to a co-worker who interrupts me. I ignore my insistence on my “right” to “win” an argument with someone. None of those things are Christ-like at all and not who I want to be – on the inside. I can hide my frustration and not let my evil words out, but they’re still there like a stone in my heart.
Thank God I am forgiven. Thank God I have a place in heaven for eternity. Thank God He has released me from this bondage of sin starting at the day of my salvation and continuing throughout my life here on earth! I don’t have to be a slave to these evil thoughts anymore. He has set me free and now I have a choice – each day, each moment, each thought – submit to sin or submit to Christ. I don’t always choose the best way and being aware of those moments, promptly confessing them, and allowing His forgiveness to cleanse me and make me new sets me right back on the path fully restored. I don’t have to sit in guilt, condemn myself, or analyze why I failed. Once I confess I can be secure in knowing I’m completely forgiven. Praise God for His grace and giving us newness of life.


If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~1 John 1:9