“People live in their old nature, not understanding the new.”
God spoke that to me today as He reminded me to press into Him during a battle. He said, “Lies are going to be flying your way. Take authority and cast them down. Laugh at them. The enemy is a liar and a false accuser. He drums up the past. That is illegal. Your past is dead and buried in the blood of Jesus.”
Satan immobilizes the army of God through regret.
He trips us into sin, then turns around and accuses us for the behavior he enticed us into.
How do we get free from that cycle? Repent for the sin and press into God. If it’s a sin that’s become a bondage and you can’t stop (and I totally get that), then research and find a good deliverance pastor or healing minister to get those chains broken off your life. Many of us have lived there too long and we don’t have to. There is freedom if you truly want it.
The old nature or old man is stiff and rusty. Rigid. No life. No freedom. Jesus died to free us from that. But to look at many of us, you would never know it.
Why not? Is it because we don’t know we are free? Or do we feel guilty if we claim freedom and then mess up with sin, as if perfection is the goal?
The truth is, if we’ve claimed the free gift that Jesus died to give us, we are free. We are free to mess up and make mistakes and laugh at the lies that try to re-chain us. Is it a license to sin? Um, no. Silly question (Rom. 6:1-2).
Jesus died so that we would live in Him. In the freedom the Trinity experiences and purchased for us. Living connected to Them is living in our new nature (John 15:5).
Everything of life and freedom is in God. The ability to forgive (it is Their nature to forgive), joy, hope, creativity. So when we live connected to God, we have life in us and flowing through us.
Humanity was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26). So every single human being embodies godly traits. That’s why people who haven’t embraced the gift Jesus died to give us, can still have happy marriages, forgive and let go of bitterness, and live creative, successful lives.
God is generous with His love and gives gifts freely and lavishly to all humanity.
Religion says that without God you have nothing. That’s partially true. What many don’t understand is that love is lavish. God is love, so He pours out blessings on the “deserving” and the “undeserving” (Matt. 5:45).
And why is He so kind to those who reject Him or don’t know Him? Because He is desperate for them to come to Him. And it’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4).
People that don’t embrace God, or receive freely the gift purchased for them, don’t lack good things, they lack life. They haven’t been rejuvenated (Eph. 2:1-2). They are living life through their old man.
I’ve come across believers who almost seem to wear a sense of smugness that they are one of the chosen few that have made it (I’ve been one of the Christians at times). But God doesn’t want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). There’s a father’s anguish in that. Not an exclusive club mentality.
He doesn’t have a mindset that you must strive and perform and perfect Christianity to be worthy of the name.
Why are we fearful that we are watering down the gospel if we don’t call out people’s sins? Is that really our job?
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, mind soul and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31).
Unfortunately, I see far too many Christians beating themselves up instead of loving themselves. No wonder so many of us come across as judgmental to the rest of the world. We can’t stop judging our own behavior.
We can let go of our mistakes and our sin (Psalm 103:12). They’ve already been nailed to the cross. Leave them there and let yourself be bathed in the overwhelming love and mercy and grace of God.
He’s waiting and He has such good things for you (Matt. 11:29).
Prayer
Jesus, give us a revelation of who we are in You. How our old nature has passed away and you have made us new. Let us encounter the love you have for us, so we can begin to love ourselves as you desire us to. Thank you for Your goodness.
Thoughts . . .
Do you feel guilty letting go of guilt?
Photo by amenic181 via freedigitalphotos
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