You are called to be sanctified, not to sanctify yourself.
For most of my life, I thought I had to become a better Christian before I could really come to Jesus.
I thought I needed to conquer my addictions, fix my marriage, overcome depression, stop lying, stop hating myself, and finally become the kind of person God could use.
I was wrong.
What I’ve learned through years of youth ministry, personal failure, depression, addiction, and God’s relentless grace is that Jesus doesn’t ask us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him.
He asks us to come while we’re still filthy.
Relationship comes first.
Grace comes first.
Change follows.
In this message, I share some of my own struggles with sin, shame, depression, self-hatred, and ministry, and explain how understanding God’s grace fundamentally changed my relationship with Christ.
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1
Scripture references:
Luke 15:1-7
Romans 8:1
If you’re struggling with sin, shame, addiction, depression, or feeling like a hypocrite, this message is for you.