Freedom in the Fight

Think of your darkest of dark moments, the one you replay in your minds, thinking, “God could never forgive me for this.” That’s the moment! That’s the exact moment of shame that is driving your rebellion, and it is why He went to the cross.

Satan likes to accuse you, belittle you, mock you. Child of God, listen to your King! There is no charge that can be brought against you. There is no condemnation remaining. All your guilt and shame; all your rebellion; all your past, present, and future sins have been nailed to the cross and paid for by Christ’s atoning blood.

Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God loves us so much that He exults over us with joy and will quiet us with His love. At any moment our King could have come down from the cross. But He, out of obedience to our Father, laid His life down for the sheep. He laid His life down for you personally. He imputed His righteousness to you when you were born again of God—not of your will, but of God.

Do you not recognize that when God looks at you, He sees the perfection, the blamelessness, and the spotlessness of His Son? Satan was grasping for accusations that he could bring upon Christ, and Christ was found perfectly obedient even to the point of death.

Why do I mention this? Be honest with yourself! You know I am talking to you—the one who constantly feels overwhelmed by shame, who feels hopelessly stuck in sin. You are crying out for God to take it away, yet you are returning to your sin to medicate the pain you feel within your soul. These sound like accusations to me!

Do you know Him? Do you love Jesus Christ? Then obey His commands!

I pray this chapter opens your eyes to the truth that it is as children of God, and only as legitimate children born of God, that we will ever experience true freedom. You must wrestle here. The pain says to go back to your sin, which is easier. You have to answer the question, “Am I born again, or have I been playing a religious game?”

Christ is about the long game of salvation. Satan is about religious games and doing things instead of resting in Christ. The problem with Satan’s lies is he tries to get you to stop without realizing that you can’t on your own. You don’t have the power over sin apart from Christ. You have no ability on your own to say no. This is why you continually run back to it.

What you continually run back to is your god. That is what you are currently worshipping. I call you to repent and return to Christ. Turn from this lust that has so damaged your heart and lied to you over and over again. Turn to the glorious, merciful King, the Author and Founder of our faith. You will only find true freedom in repentance. Finding Christ more satisfying than turning to the computer screen.

I know you are lonely and desperately want to be known. Lift up your head and behold Him. See that you are fully known. There is not one step that you have taken that God has not graciously allowed. This is our sovereign and gracious Lord, the same God who spoke the Word. Everything we see came into being from the power of His Word. Do you not believe that He can speak one Word over you and completely restore you? This is where true freedom is found.

It’s not that we don’t struggle. But with the true gospel in mind, we finally have legs to walk. You have been paralyzed for far too long in your spiritual walk. In the name of Jesus, rise and walk!