Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John8:34
In John's Gospel these words are in the same chapter as the account of the woman caught in adultery. Jesus confounds the woman's accusers and then releases her with these amazing words: "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?""No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Penitence towards self means two things:
1. We have to cease and desist with sin. We must make brave decisions to break the habits, end the cycles and release the poisons and idols we hold on to.
2. We have to forgive ourselves. I'm constantly amazed by the number of folk who believe that Jesus died for everyone's sins but not for theirs. People who hang on to their guilt and shame when Jesus just wants them free!
This is the Good News of the Gospel: We were slaves to sin and we couldn't get out of sin. Jesus died for our sin and made us His children. We don't have to earn or deserve this - it's given to us.
But we stand distant - unwilling to forgive ourselves.
How arrogant!! God created the entire universe and gave His very best - His Son - to forgive us, but we won't forgive ourselves - effectively saying: "I'm sorry Lord, but Jesus' blood just isn't enough - it isn't enough to deal with MY sin."
Maybe it's time to finally put aside the brokenness of the past and embrace the freedom of being a son or daughter of God!! If the Son sets me free, I am free indeed!!!
HALLELUJAH!
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
