Transparency and Relevance
Just would really like to share this, my dear brothers and sisters. This is not a time for religious facades and masks. One of the key reasons that the body of Christ is not as effective as we should be is lack of transparency and relevance to the world concerning our own issues. The grace of God was not given for us to hide our dark areas and "act" like they don't exist, but it was provided to bring us out of our dark places and past that we may be empowered to overcome and rise above them through Christ.
We may be 'saved' and on our beautiful way to glory, but the truth is that we still hurt and still hurt each other. The truth is that we still struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, marital infidelities (physically and emotionally), pornography, and other addictive behaviors. Many of 'us' are continually sick, depressed, emotionally eating, angry, or fearful AS A RESULT OF things of our past not dealt with.
The truth is that the love of God is stable even when we are not. The truth is that we have NO reason to be ashamed of not living up to a standard of all we could or should be. Our shame and guilt was taken care of with our sin nature on the cross of Calvary. It becomes our part to expose it, let it go, and use the experience to help others. SECRETS KILL!! Holding it in blocks the blessing flow.
We may be 'saved' and on our beautiful way to glory, but the truth is that we still hurt and still hurt each other. The truth is that we still struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, marital infidelities (physically and emotionally), pornography, and other addictive behaviors. Many of 'us' are continually sick, depressed, emotionally eating, angry, or fearful AS A RESULT OF things of our past not dealt with.
The truth is that the love of God is stable even when we are not. The truth is that we have NO reason to be ashamed of not living up to a standard of all we could or should be. Our shame and guilt was taken care of with our sin nature on the cross of Calvary. It becomes our part to expose it, let it go, and use the experience to help others. SECRETS KILL!! Holding it in blocks the blessing flow.
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Yes, I can hear someone say "But you don't understand. I'm trying! I'm really trying!" Yet THIS is the problem. There is no biblical power in YOUR trying. If YOU could do it you would not need GRACE. You would not need Christ. Instead of 'trying' we need trusting. Not religious trusting that says "God will do it when he gets ready." Trusting that says "I receive the already available empowerment of grace NOW that this issue would never again effect my life" and then rest in that. Stay in that. Continue in that. Be vigilant in that. Be VIOLENT in that. You, like me (YES like me) will be surprised at how quickly these issues that believers "should not have or struggle with" will be put under foot.
One more thing, had you ever thought about when Jesus told the paralytic man to "Rise, take up your bed, and walk"? (John Chapter 5) Why not just Rise and walk? There is something about our dysfunction that propels us and grounds us at the same time. When you rise (and you WILL RISE) take your testimony with you, take your tears with you, take you feelings of hopelessness and frustration with you. Let's not settle for singing of freedom and victory. By God, let's GET IT!
Love you all in the love of the Eternal
