Recently, the Lord has been agitating my spirit with the crucifix. Why is that, when there is nothing more urgent than to behold the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world? The blood stoning sacrifice of Christ should be highly exalted, revered and celebrated. I sought him on it.
The idolatry if the cross punctuates the story of redemption with a premature ending and emphasizes the sufferings of Christ above the glorification and resurrection of Christ - our hope and our stay. The hope of our redemption invites us, not to the cross, but through the cross into the inheritance of the kingdom.
It is the enemies favorite weapon -- the use of truth with a subtle twist. To stop at the weakness and humiliation, and not step into the purpose it all: renders the cross as a story, and not a living and active Word that resurrects us, too.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17
Too often, we exalt our sin above the finished work of Christ.
Christ died for our sins. We must take heart, if we are abiding in him, and crucify any tendency to be self-abasing in the name of contrition or repentance. It’s false humility. Only pride rejects the gracious accomplishment of the cross. Humility is receiving a gift, graciously, with gratitude and without protest or hesitancy.
Jesus calls for repentance. Metanoia - a change of mind. A turning from sin back towards Jesus. He never asked for penance. probation. Or some kind of a time out. When we repent, out of fear of the Lord… he bear hugs us. God has pity on those who fear him.
Pain of contrition = immediate grace. Even without having figured out all the components or implications of my sin or mistake. God doesn't bathe in my contrition. He bathes in my praise. When I glorify his name because of his great grace. (see Ezra) Wallowing in my repentance doesn't glorify the Lord. Proclaiming his sufficiency does. My imperfection is a part of his perfect plan.
He offers us, freely, his forgiveness. As soon as we acknowledge our sinful brokenness and need for his holy wholeness, he's washed it clean. Your soul and body will struggle, but that’s a dead man’s game. Our Spirit is immaculate when we confess, abide and believe, because “as He was in the world, so are you” (1 John 4).
Obedience to God is reception of the generous grace that Christ bled to give us. Self-inflicted contrition and wallowing repentance is an unnecessary drama created by illusion of purgatory. Get that devil out of here and shine on.
When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.”
Exodus 15
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