I used to hear it a lot but not so much anymore. “I’m too bad. God couldn’t love me.” “My past is so checkered with bad decisions there is no way God could forgive me.” There are multiple variations of that view, but essentially that person is saying God could never accept them. I’m not sure where it came from, but the idea that we have to be perfect, or have to have our act cleaned up, or to be alright has invaded the whole “come to Jesus” thing.  Maybe it is the “airs” we put on?

God does meet us where we are. I totally agree with Tripp when he writes: “If God asked us to meet him where he is, we would all be damned.” That is an overwhelming, powerful reality. How in the world could that ever happen? Total holiness vs. pure sin. Unequaled perfection vs one big hot mess.

Peter? No. I’d say, “Bill.” I’d say “I don’t stand a chance.” I’d say, “I’ve got Peter beat.” 3 times? Ha. How about 300? 3000? 30,000? A picture of faithfulness I’m not. That’s why I need Jesus. Why I need the cross. Why I need salvation. Why I need Jesus meeting me where I am. Ain’t no way I could meet him and measure up. He does not wait for me to come to Him; he comes to me.

“Father, thank you for reaching down to me. Thank you for taking the much-needed steps to reach me and to come to me as I am. Thank you for looking beyond my ‘Peter-ness’ and seeing me, my need for hope and life and forgiveness. Thank you for coming to me.”