September 28, 2008
“They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea of who you were and where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:23-25 The Message
And when it came to your life ….?
He could have ignored you .. overlooked you .. dismissed you … but He didn’t. There weren’t any other options to make your life rid of sin.. and free to live. So .. the Silent-Suffering One wore every name of every sin ever committed. He wore the list that had your name at the top. He didn’t try to explain it away or try for a second chance. He knew that you were lost on the inside of your life and would never find your way home or forward. You already know what names He wore for you: sex-lies .. substance-lies .. liquid-lies .. unforgiveness .. jealousy .. bitterness .. guilt .. shame .. image-lies .. drivenness .. false-wealth .. false-achievements .. false-lies about yourself. Jesus wore every name you can think of regarding yourself or others that would rob and seek to destroy the real-God-created-identity that He generously and grace-overwhelmingly carried to the Cross. And your new-name …? Whole — Healed — Put-together — Kept-for-good — Soul-Shepherded — Kingdom-lifers — Generous and Gracious Followers of Jesus. This is the real life .. the true life .. the God-setting-things-right life that God has for you today. You can leave your old names with Jesus .. He won’t ever give them back .. because He knows your new name is the only name that matters! It only takes a moment …
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Matthew 5:48 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Generously-Named- Christ Ones and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
