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Just admit that you rebelled and worshiped foreign gods under large trees everywhere. Jeremiah 3:13 (CEV)
Admitting guilt.
Not an easy thing to do is it? It’s so much easier to explain our actions than just to say, “I was wrong.” It’s even harder to say, “I was wrong and I knew I was wrong when I did it but I wanted to do it anyway…so I did.”
A friend of mine tells about how frustrating his daughter can be a times. She’s a sweet girl. Compassionate, kind, smart…but rebellious. On several occasions she’s been caught doing something that she knows is wrong, but has gone ahead and done it anyway. When confronted about these things her classic response is: “But I want to.”
Translation? I knew it was wrong when I did it. I knew I’d get in trouble when I was doing it. I know I’m busted now and even though I’m being punished, I’m glad I did it because I liked it.
Before you pass judgment on my friend’s daughter or question his parenting skills, ask yourself this question. Isn’t that what we do when we choose our own way and not God’s way? We know we shouldn’t’ think that way, but…; we know we shouldn’t say this, but…’; we know it’s wrong but…’.
God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah to a stubborn rebellious people. He tells them, I know you’ve been unfaithful. You know you’ve been unfaithful. There’s no question about guilt here, not implication that you didn’t know better. I’m not asking for explanations. I’m not asking for promises [because frankly, you never keep them anyway!]. All I’m asking is admission of your guilt.
God doesn’t ask us to admit our guilt to prove we are wrong. He doesn’t ask us to admit our guilt so he is sure we are guilty. He simply wants us to admit our weakness. Why? Because his desire is to free us from the guilt, not condemn us; his desire is to forgive us, not criticize us; his desire is to lift us up, not burden us.
God likens Israel to a prostitute with more lovers than he can count! Not a very kind assessment of them. Yet his desire isn’t to expose their rebellion and failure, his desire is to cleanse them. Confession of sin is hard, but living in guilt is harder. Confession frees us to live, but guilt burdens us with baggage that follows us through life.
It’s interesting that God only asks one thing of the Israelites, confession. He’s already decided he’ll take them back. He’s already committed to loving them and forgiving them and welcoming them back into his arms. All they have to do is admit they were wrong.
The same is true for us today. Your Heavenly Father knows you are weak. He knows you are rebellious. He knows that even if he forgives you, you’ll do it again. But…He loves you and wants a relationship with you. All you have to do is admit it’s your fault. Hard to do? Yes, but essential to live freely in God’s grace.
PRAYER: Father, my failures are constantly before me. Still I find it hard to admit my weakness, even though I know you love me. Give me the strength to confess my weakness so that I can live in your freedom. Amen.
Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT)
The two areas that Satan attacks the most in our walk is our faith in God and our faith in ourselves. He knows that these two areas of our lives will dictate how we address everything else in our lives.
If we are confident in who we are and comfortable with ourselves then the attacks other people place on us will fall harmless by our side. If, on the other hand we see ourselves as weak and worthless people even the smallest ‘stones of attack’ will pierce our armor.
What it really boils down to is this question, a question we must ask ourselves every day as we get up and get ready for the tasks ahead: “Who do you see in the mirror?”
We all want to succeed in whatever endeavor we pursue. We want to be respected. We want to be liked. We may not need to be filthy rich, but it would be nice to at least have enough money in the bank account to buy food, make the house payment and own a car that can be counted on to get you from point A to point B with the least amount of turmoil. All these things influence how we feel about ourselves if we listen to the enemy instead of listening to the truth of what God says about us.
Here’s the lie that Satan wants you to believe. When things get tough. When you fail to conquer that temptation…again; when you fall to the seduction of lust; when you miss another house payment; when you explode in a flurry of words at your wife, your boss or your kids, he gently and quietly whispers in your ear.
“You did it again didn’t you. You can’t beat this. You are worthless. You will never amount to anything, you realize that don’t you? Then, here’s where he really gets you. He quotes scripture. He’s not above that you know. He did it with Eve. He did it with Jesus Christ himself! And he never uses it in context. He quotes just what he things you need to hear.
“Even the bible says your worthless. Remember Isaiah 64:6? God says you are nothing but filthy rags. Worthless. Smelly. Of no value at all. That’s you.”
Then, he leaves and you get to pick up the pieces. Wounded. Doubting your abilities. Ashamed. Embarrassed. You resolve to be done. You won’t try anymore. The pain of failure is too great.
Until we have a firm grasp of who we are we can never fully access the power of grace. Think of grace as a verb, not a noun. Grace is God’s unending, passionate love for you 24/7. Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Read it carefully. See the promise. You WERE dead, but now you are ALIVE. Your life isn’t based on your actions. Your life if based on Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. God’s view of you is based on Jesus’ actions, not yours. Jeremiah 31:3 tells us we are loved with an everlasting love. Romans 8 tells us that NOTHING can separate us from that love.
Here is the truth Statement we need to base the view from the mirror on: We are loved unconditionally. Period. The Creator God of the universe loves you. He’s more concerned about your future than your past or present. He’s willing to take a chance on you. In his eyes not only ‘will you amount to something’, you already are something.
PRAYER: Father I’m tired of listening to Satan’s lies about myself. I’m tired of the feeling of dread I get every day I climb out of bed. I’m tired of feeling like a failure to you and those around me. Empower me with your Spirit to see myself as you do, through the lens of Jesus Christ. In his name I pray, Amen.
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jeremiah 31:3
Nothing is harder than to love someone who is either unable to, or refuses to return your love. Extending love is personal. It’s intimate. It makes you vulnerable. You put yourself on the line and if you are accepted and that love is returned you feel fulfilled, happy, complete.
But when love is not returned, it’s like doing open heart surgery with a dull knife and no anesthesia. You lay your heart before the one you want to love you and if that person rejects your love he/she is rejecting you. You become like a warrior who loses his sword and shield just as the enemy attacks. There is no warning. There is no defense. There is no hope.
It’s that one aspect that makes God’s love for us so amazing. When we are rejected in our attempts at love our human nature is to withdraw ourselves. Depending on the situation, our withdrawal could be permanent. We evaluate the situation and decide that this love really wasn’t love at all and move on to find a new love.
On the other hand, if we are so dependent on that person that we MUST love them we may do anything to keep that love. Even if staying in that relationship means abuse, unhappiness or danger (even to the point of death). Our very being, our essence depends on our having this relationship. We stay in the ‘relationship’ but lose who we are in the process.
God’s love, on the other hand, says this: “I love you. I will always love you. No matter how many times you pull away from me. No matter how often you scream at me in anger and abuse my name and ignore my advances, I love you.”
He draws me to Himself. During those times of my anger He sits quietly, patiently. Knowing me so well that He knows exactly the time to come to me, when I can no longer do life alone.
One reason our Father is able to love this way is because our rejection of Him has no bearing on who He is; on His power to heal; or on His willingness and passionate desire to draw near to us. He is God. He is our Loving Heavenly Father and He pleads with you to come and rest in His arms and call Him ‘Daddy’. Passionate desire! How awesome is that! He’s not a shy lover waiting in the shadows for you to notice Him. He’s a passionate lover who pursues you, who makes every opportunity to show you His love.
With such a God as this what shall keep me from living life to the fullest? I am loved! Unconditionally, completely, eternally loved in spite of my stubborn will and my constant struggle to follow His ways.
With such love as this within me, how can I learn to love others in the same way that I am loved? How will the love of Jesus shine forth in new and passionate ways to those who have been shattered by forsaken love?
PRAYER: My Lord and my God. I am once again taken back in awe by Your great love for me. I ask once more that you would forgive me for ignoring your love. I’m stubborn and selfish and seek only my own pleasure when I should seek to give you glory. Help me to let your love shine through me so that I can be secure in whom I am and show Christ’s love in passionate ways to those in my world. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 