So many people today live under these heavy burdens but also much of the church is plagued by these attacks on our identity. If the devil cannot get us to turn away from God, he will try to take away our power and authority by using lies and feelings to make us doubt our true identity. It is time to unmask the accuser of the brethren.
Rom 8:1-3 (TPT)
So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death. For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature.
We are declared NOT GUILTY! Not only has our sin been forgiven, but the sin nature has also gone to the cross. We are not sinners saved by grace, but new creations, a new species of God-man on the earth! We are sons and daughters of God, with His nature and Spirit inside us.
Our journey of sanctification, the renewing of our mind, is all by grace, just as our salvation was. There is, no need to strive to try to be better: it will happen as we walk in the Spirit, empowered to change as we choose His way over ours. This is taking up our cross daily. Jesus has already made the sacrifice for sin, we don’t need to do it again. We just need to receive His forgiveness and to forgive others and ourselves.
PS 34:4-5 (TPT)
Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears! Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again.
Fear is related to shame, guilt and condemnation. We fear being hurt again and judged as unworthy if we confess our sins before people. This traps us behind a wall of our own making. Courage is described as fear that has said its prayers. It will take courage to be vulnerable before our trusted friends. An open heart is the only place we can receive love and overcome shame.
We can shut off from people hurting us, but we also shut off the possibility of being loved.
Mal Cotton 16.5.21