June 24, 2009
“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.” Romans 7:14 The Message
Can it get any worse …?
Life is broken … in our hearts … in our relationships … in the worlds we live in everyday. Life is filled with Law-breakers … in our hearts … in our relationships … in the worlds we live in everyday. Life has no power to heal … in our hearts … in our relationships … in the worlds we live in everyday. You’ll recognize yourself today. You’ll see yourself through the lens of another person today. They will undoubtedly do something or not do something that will instantly give you a picture of yourself. You may remember a painful memory that lays buried out of sight and you secretly wish out of mind. You may feel the very feeling you watch on someone’s face who realizes that “me” is the trouble. You may watch someone or some circumstance unfold from a distance and relive it in your mind. What will you do? Are you going to run? Are you going to hide? Are you going to act out or implode on yourself. Without these words: no more condemnation … you will wear yourself out and those around you that you love and love you. The Un-Condemning One is our only hope and power today. You don’t become smug because you belong to Christ … You become a life-giving source of hope in the broken world you live in. You carry within your heart and mind the knowledge and confidence that Jesus living inside any man or women … husband or wife … son or daughter … carries the power to break anyone free from life-stealing … life-shaming … and life-scarring condemnation and sin. Yes sin … not just a sin … but all of your sins … all of them … for all time … for always … forever. It only takes a moment …
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to the Un-Condemned Fellowship of Jesus Followers and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
