I Have Seen the Evidence

Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA

Sometimes, I sit in awe of the fact that God has found me worthy of His love and care. He found me worthy of a call and purposed me to live every day as if I haven't seen the evidence showing I'm guilty of sin. I'm guilty, so why does He find me worthy?

I know there are times I've broken promises to obey Him. I know He's seen my deepest secrets and knows all my wrongs. I have witnessed the evidence against me—I lived it. Yet, He has thrown away my case and declared me innocent. Instead of casting me away, He calls me His own.

How amazing is that?!

He did not just save me from the bondage of sin, He called me into His glorious light (1 Peter 2:9). Every day, He shows up for me. Each moment is a reminder of His faithfulness. He wakes me up with new mercies. He puts songs in my heart that declare His goodness and blessed assurance. His love flows through me to those around me. His truth anchors me when life's circumstances try to shake me.

I am a wretched sinner, BUT GOD has called me His child.

Am I perfect? Far from it. I must continue to die daily. I haven't just seen the evidence against me, but I have seen the evidence of His goodness! I continually fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but He never fails to show up. He proves His love for all of us by that fact that even when we were sinners, Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8).

Here is some scriptural evidence!

Evidence that we are not enough on our own and will never be enough without Him:

• Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

• Romans 3:10 – "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

• Psalm 51:3-4 – "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."

• Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

• 2 Corinthians 3:5 – "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"

Evidence that God shows us mercy despite our failures:

• Romans 5:8 – "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

• Psalm 103:10-12 – "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

• Lamentations 3:22-23 – "It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Evidence of His goodness:

• Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

• Psalm 27:13 – "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

• Philippians 1:6 – "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

This is the evidence for both you and me to live by—the evidence that though we are undeserving, His grace is sufficient; that though we are weak, He is strong; that though we were lost, He finds us worthy of love, redemption, and purpose.

Yes, I know the evidence that labels me guilty, but I have also seen the overwhelming evidence that calls me forgiven—evidence of His mercy, His grace, and His victory at work in my life. I know the weight of my guilt, but the evidence of His redemption outweighs it. His righteousness covers my unrighteousness.

The evidence against me says I was condemned, but the evidence for me says I am forgiven.The evidence against me says I was too broken, but the evidence for me says I am restored.The evidence against me says I am weak, but the evidence for me says I am more than a conqueror.

I have seen the evidence of His goodness—and you can, too.

This grace, this mercy, this love—it’s not just for me. It’s for you, too. No matter what the evidence against you says, there is greater evidence for you in Jesus Christ. His arms are open, His grace is sufficient, and His goodness is waiting for you to taste and see for yourself— O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalm 34:8).

Come and see. Come and trust. Come and experience the goodness of God.

The evidence of His goodness will change everything.