January 26, 2025 • 7 mins
In this heartfelt message, Dr. Andre Jerry shares an encouraging and relatable message about God’s infinite love for each of us. Using the analogy of buying a used car "As-Is," he reminds us that while God sees all our imperfections, He still accepts and loves us completely. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, battling shame, or navigating your faith journey, this episode will inspire you to draw closer to God without fear or hesitation.
Scriptures Discussed in This Episode:
- Jeremiah 31:3
- John 3:16
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Romans 3:23
- Zechariah 4:10
- Hebrews 4:16
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
You ever feel like you're too flawed or too sinful to approach God or have a relationship with him?
(00:06):
Well, listen if you feel that way, I'm glad you're here because I would hate for you to
Distance yourself from God because you think you're too imperfect
God loves you as is
He loves you just the way you are
Have you ever bought a used car as is?
If you have you know it comes with no warranty no guarantees
(00:29):
or
Promises about whether it break down tomorrow or next week
Maybe it has some visible scratches a few dents or some quirks about it that you'd have to live with
But you bought it anyway because it got the job done you accepted it
flaws in all
Well, let me tell you something powerful today. God accepts you the same way
(00:52):
He loves you as is with all of your imperfections all of your quirks all of your bad habits all of that
Whether you're a gambler whether you're gay whether you're a criminal a
Couser an abuser an alcoholic or anything else
God loves you
(01:13):
You don't have to fix yourself before coming to him
Now does God want you to change? Yes, absolutely
But he loves you right now as you are and he always will
His love for you is not predicated upon you being perfect. It's not performance based
That's a transactional in a conditional type of love. That's not what God is about
(01:38):
God's love is perfect and unconditional
Jeremiah chapter 31 verse 3 says I have loved thee with an everlasting love
Therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee?
You may be thinking well
Why change if God loves me as is?
(01:59):
Well, the answer is simple
Because when you truly experience God's love it transforms you
The more you learn about God and his mercy his long suffering his patience his love all of his qualities
And how much he loves you for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that
(02:21):
Whosoever believed within him should not perish but have everlasting life
Once you really grasp that and
Get a hold of it. You won't want to continue on a path that you're on
God's love is like no other love it. It changes you from the inside out
If you stay in his word study his word meditate on his word
(02:45):
You'll notice your desire to do certain things will vanish over time
2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 says
Therefore if anyone is in Christ
The new creation has come the old has gone the new is here
so don't be surprised if after
(03:07):
getting into God's word
Over time you lose your taste for certain things the partying the smoking
drugs and alcohol illicit sex
pornography
self-harming and other compulsive behaviors or
Our desire for change it could be so strong that we may even call out to God and ask him to
(03:29):
Remove certain desires from us immediately and he's able he can do it. I've seen it
But you have to really want it
And it's okay to be frank with God. He knows our thoughts before we even think them
So it's okay to be honest with God and tell him listen God. I love you and I know this lifestyle isn't good for me
And I'm trying to change. I want to change but it's hard Lord
(03:54):
Give me the strength to break away from this toxic environment removed the desire
Far from me Lord move it from my heart. And you know when we pray sincerely God hears us
Hebrews chapter 4 verse 16 says let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain
Mercy and find grace to help in time of need
(04:17):
So remember God loves you as is
Don't be afraid to draw close to God because you feel like you're flawed
And don't feel like you can't ask for God's favor or
Forgiveness or for his mercy or protection or help because you're a so-called
Center we're all sinners
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That's Romans chapter 3 verse 23
(04:43):
So don't let some of these so-called saved Christians shame you or make you feel inferior because of where you are in your walk
At least you're trying to know God. At least you have some desire to change
God's word says for who has despised the day of small beginnings
So don't let people who may be at the latter part of their journey in Christ make you feel some type of way
(05:08):
About where you are with your walk. This is your walk
At one point they were smokers and drinkers and whores too before they got
Saved and accepted Christ and changed their lives
You know, but a lot of people they forget how they used to be and that's when that holier than thou disposition can take hold of people
But never mind
(05:30):
But never mind them. This is about you. This is about your walk with Christ
Your timeline your journey and all its twists and turns
What God has for you is for you. It's not for anyone else
If you're here today listening to this message
(05:51):
That's your small beginning
And God is rejoicing over you right now
So don't let someone who's further along in their journey make you feel ashamed of where you are
Like I said, this is your walk with God and if you feel like you've lost your way
At some point ask God for his Holy Spirit to redirect you
(06:13):
So here's what I want you to take away today
God loves you right now as is
You don't have to fix yourself before coming to him. You don't have to pretend to be perfect. Just show up
flaws struggles and all
And as you spend more time in his presence
His love will start to change you from the inside out. You'll find freedom and joy and peace like never before
(06:41):
If this message blessed you then share it with someone who needs to hear it today
And remember, I'm proud of you for being here today
So keep pressing forward keep seeking God and keep watching how he moves in your life
Let's close with prayer. Heavenly Father Jehovah. Thank you for
Knowing us and loving us as we are
(07:03):
Thank you for meeting us and our brokenness and reminding us that your love is unconditional
Help us to draw closer to you Lord every day
And to trust that your love will transform us from the inside out
In Jesus mighty name we pray amen
You ever feel like you're too flawed or too sinful to approach God or have a relationship with him?
(00:06):
Well, listen if you feel that way, I'm glad you're here because I would hate for you to
Distance yourself from God because you think you're too imperfect
God loves you as is
He loves you just the way you are
Have you ever bought a used car as is?
If you have you know it comes with no warranty no guarantees
(00:29):
or
Promises about whether it break down tomorrow or next week
Maybe it has some visible scratches a few dents or some quirks about it that you'd have to live with
But you bought it anyway because it got the job done you accepted it
flaws in all
Well, let me tell you something powerful today. God accepts you the same way
(00:52):
He loves you as is with all of your imperfections all of your quirks all of your bad habits all of that
Whether you're a gambler whether you're gay whether you're a criminal a
Couser an abuser an alcoholic or anything else
God loves you
(01:13):
You don't have to fix yourself before coming to him
Now does God want you to change? Yes, absolutely
But he loves you right now as you are and he always will
His love for you is not predicated upon you being perfect. It's not performance based
That's a transactional in a conditional type of love. That's not what God is about
(01:38):
God's love is perfect and unconditional
Jeremiah chapter 31 verse 3 says I have loved thee with an everlasting love
Therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee?
You may be thinking well
Why change if God loves me as is?
(01:59):
Well, the answer is simple
Because when you truly experience God's love it transforms you
The more you learn about God and his mercy his long suffering his patience his love all of his qualities
And how much he loves you for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that
(02:21):
Whosoever believed within him should not perish but have everlasting life
Once you really grasp that and
Get a hold of it. You won't want to continue on a path that you're on
God's love is like no other love it. It changes you from the inside out
If you stay in his word study his word meditate on his word
(02:45):
You'll notice your desire to do certain things will vanish over time
2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 says
Therefore if anyone is in Christ
The new creation has come the old has gone the new is here
so don't be surprised if after
(03:07):
getting into God's word
Over time you lose your taste for certain things the partying the smoking
drugs and alcohol illicit sex
pornography
self-harming and other compulsive behaviors or
Our desire for change it could be so strong that we may even call out to God and ask him to
(03:29):
Remove certain desires from us immediately and he's able he can do it. I've seen it
But you have to really want it
And it's okay to be frank with God. He knows our thoughts before we even think them
So it's okay to be honest with God and tell him listen God. I love you and I know this lifestyle isn't good for me
And I'm trying to change. I want to change but it's hard Lord
(03:54):
Give me the strength to break away from this toxic environment removed the desire
Far from me Lord move it from my heart. And you know when we pray sincerely God hears us
Hebrews chapter 4 verse 16 says let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain
Mercy and find grace to help in time of need
(04:17):
So remember God loves you as is
Don't be afraid to draw close to God because you feel like you're flawed
And don't feel like you can't ask for God's favor or
Forgiveness or for his mercy or protection or help because you're a so-called
Center we're all sinners
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That's Romans chapter 3 verse 23
(04:43):
So don't let some of these so-called saved Christians shame you or make you feel inferior because of where you are in your walk
At least you're trying to know God. At least you have some desire to change
God's word says for who has despised the day of small beginnings
So don't let people who may be at the latter part of their journey in Christ make you feel some type of way
(05:08):
About where you are with your walk. This is your walk
At one point they were smokers and drinkers and whores too before they got
Saved and accepted Christ and changed their lives
You know, but a lot of people they forget how they used to be and that's when that holier than thou disposition can take hold of people
But never mind
(05:30):
But never mind them. This is about you. This is about your walk with Christ
Your timeline your journey and all its twists and turns
What God has for you is for you. It's not for anyone else
If you're here today listening to this message
(05:51):
That's your small beginning
And God is rejoicing over you right now
So don't let someone who's further along in their journey make you feel ashamed of where you are
Like I said, this is your walk with God and if you feel like you've lost your way
At some point ask God for his Holy Spirit to redirect you
(06:13):
So here's what I want you to take away today
God loves you right now as is
You don't have to fix yourself before coming to him. You don't have to pretend to be perfect. Just show up
flaws struggles and all
And as you spend more time in his presence
His love will start to change you from the inside out. You'll find freedom and joy and peace like never before
(06:41):
If this message blessed you then share it with someone who needs to hear it today
And remember, I'm proud of you for being here today
So keep pressing forward keep seeking God and keep watching how he moves in your life
Let's close with prayer. Heavenly Father Jehovah. Thank you for
Knowing us and loving us as we are
(07:03):
Thank you for meeting us and our brokenness and reminding us that your love is unconditional
Help us to draw closer to you Lord every day
And to trust that your love will transform us from the inside out
In Jesus mighty name we pray amen
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