"Therefore, since we
have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every
encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
As blood-bought children of God, we really want to do what is right, but we
do not always do it. We know perfectly well that what we are doing is wrong,
but sin inside of us is stronger than our resolve to be holy. Paul expounds on
this topic when he states that when he wants to do what is right, he inevitably
does what is wrong. He also relates to us the reality of the war going on in
our soul between the old habits of the sinful nature and the new Christ-like
nature birthed in our soul at conversion. He complains that he wants to be
God's willing servant, but instead he finds himself still enslaved to sin.
Then Paul cries out in anguish in Romans 7:23... “Who will free me from my
slavery to this deadly carnal nature?” With the same breath he realizes in
ecstasy, “Thank God! It has already been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has
set me free.”
As we cling to Christ, and walk by His Spirit on a moment by moment basis,
He replaces our sinful nature with the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). God then encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus and to walk in
His ways. In Hebrews 12:1-2 the author exhorts us, “Let us strip off anything
that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap
themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with
patience the particular race that God has set before each of us. Keep your
eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor.”
Added to the mix of our own self-reproach, Satan’s deception often brings
with it a heavy dose of undeserved condemnation. Even when we did nothing
wrong, we sometimes still feel shame. We human beings find it hard to accept anything less than perfect. We struggle with our most tempting sins; but that is the way God made
us, and why He gave us Jesus to save us from those sins. God does not deal with
us by using shame and condemnation. He uses conviction instead. These
negative feelings of condemnation come from Satan trying to convince us that we
are hopeless. He wants us to believe that we are so bad God cannot save us.
There is a big difference between guilt and shame. Conviction of guilt is
a deserved feeling of remorse for doing something wrong. Conviction comes with
hope because God suggests to us an alternative way to behave. Also, conviction
says, “You have done a bad thing, but next time, you can do better.” Conviction
is a quick truth that shows us our error and offers us a way to repent.
Shaming condemnation on the other hand, is an undeserved feeling of
being unfit and harshly judged. Condemnation brings shame with no suggestion of
any alternative behavior. Condemnation says, “You are bad.” Shame comes from
Satan and will cripple your life. Satan tries to break us with the weight of
shame that Jesus already bore for us on the cross. Satan does not show us a way
to heal from our transgression. He just heaps condemnation on us so heavily
that we see no way out.
Shame makes us quit going to church, quit reading our Bible, and quit
fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Shame encourages us to
do other sinful actions, which adds to the weight of shame, until we finally
give up on ourselves and God completely. Then Satan has us right where he wants
us...under his thumb!
Jesus frees us from the vicious circle of conflicting desires and emotions.
He frees us from the grasp of sin and its condemnation. Jesus’ death on the
cross and resurrection and ascention back to heaven destroyed Satan’s control
over us. So now, we can obey God as we listen to His Holy Spirit and no longer
obey the old carnal nature within us. We are transformed by the renewing of our
minds, so that we ‘may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect
will of God (Romans 12:2).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for
Your finished work on Calvary’s cross. Help us to see life from an eternal
perspective, to live in the moment and to walk by the direction of Your Holy
Spirit all throughout the day. Use us to advance Your Kingdom and to change
lives for the better through Your Spirit.
Though for the Day:
It is when we behave the
least like His child that we need Him the most.
