Can we disappoint God?

One morning a few weeks ago I was crying. Hard. My emotions were wrecking havoc and I was trying to voice them to God, when out it came:

“I am such a disappointment.”

Finally. I had labeled the feeling. We were getting somewhere.

I used my drive to work to contemplate: “Can I disappoint God?” I immediately pictured friends rushing to my side and urgently comforting me with words like, “No, you are okay. God loves you unconditionally. You can’t disappoint Him!”

But wait.

God flooded the earth because the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways (Genesis 6:12-13). And Proverbs says a son can bring shame to his father and mother, which would be a disappointment (Proverbs 17:25). As for me, before a holy God, I deserve to be scorched right where I stand.

So how do I work this out?

At the moment, I believe we all disappoint a holy God. That is why we need a Savior. And that is why our God, who is as loving as He is holy, sent His Son, Jesus. Our God is holy love.

Jesus Christ died for all things about us that disappoint.

So going back to that emotional morning and ride to work, I left the driveway facing the reality that I do have a pile of disappointments to point to. They are real. I have royally messed up,

but in Christ, I cannot disappoint God.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… (Romans 8:1)

In Christ, I am victory.

In Christ, I am significant.

In Christ, I am forgiven.

In Christ, I am not a disappointment.

By the time I pulled into my parking space at work I was singing, smiling and proclaiming these truths about myself and all who are children of God.

In Christ, we stand in confidence before a holy God who loves us intensely.

As of today, here is my answer to the question, “Can we disappoint God?” Though some would disagree with me, I would currently say, yes, we can. We are born with a nature that strives to live independently from Him. That is why we need a Savior. But once we accept His Son’s death as payment for our sin, we can no longer disappoint God.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  (Colossians 3:3)

It’s an amazing thing to contemplate our identity in Christ. Take a quick look at this short list and see if you aren’t inspired to look for many more.

In Christ, all things work together for good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

In Christ, we are free from any charge against us.

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

In Christ, we are the light of the world.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden…Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.… (Matthew 5:14-15)

In Christ, our value is already heavenly.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…  (Ephesians 2:6)

In Christ, we stand rescued, every minute of every day.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves…  (Colossians 1:13)

In Christ, no disappointment is possible. We are intimately connected to the God who spoke the world into existence and picked our birth dates. He is writing His Story with our stories flowing from His pen.

Square your shoulders, people. You are not a disappointment.

Picture Explanation: Our family is scattered about, now filled with adults that live different places, and a blended family as well. Last weekend a sister in Ohio visited her sister and family in Illinois. It was so much fun to receive pictures of our daughters, grandchildren and son-in-law all weekend long. The connections are miles long and oftentimes digital, but the connections are real.

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