This morning I reflect on a bible study I wrote for a friend dealing with shame. Shame is not my portion and neither is it yours my friend, if you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ. The Bible is very clear on this. Today, let’s take a closer look at this subject. Romans 3:23, 24 states For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The question really is do you believe this and can your receive it? Ephesians 2:8,9 states For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. Have you received this free gift, truly received it? We know from his word that he paid a dear price for our sins and we are new a creation when we receive him. 2Corinthians 5-17 states: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This verse brings a chuckle this early morning as I became a Christian when my children were young. I would watch Joyce Meyer on television and she would teach on righteousness. I so needed to believe this. I would walk around my house and repeat out loud I am the righteous of God thru the blood of Jesus Christ. I needed to believe this. I would always tell my children they were the seed of the righteous as my children. I tried to teach them this early in life. One day a daughter of mine got mad at my other daughter and they were having an all out fight and one said to the other don’t say that to me, I am the seed of the righteous. I think of that memory with a smile. Oh the righteousness of God thru the blood of Jesus, I received it and so should you. Titus 3:5 states He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved. Can you believe this?
I have received the freedom of guilt from my past and today you can too. Hebrews 8:12 states For I will I forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. 1 John 1:9 states If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Have a talk with your heavenly Father today (pray). My heart leaps as I type out the final verse to a short version of this study. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Do you believe this? You are free. Let’s take a moment and together pray this prayer. Lord I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Holy Spirit teach me and lead me in all truth. I realize even on my best days I could never earn my salvation. It is a gift freely given to me by my heavenly Father. Today, I am reassured of my salvation and I believe he bore my sins on that cross. I receive the freedom from guilt and shame. I am not perfect and when I sin I have an advocate with the Father. I will enjoy my journey with Jesus as he changes me from glory to glory according to His word. My desire is to be more like him. Today, I choose to believe the word (my Bible) that he has forgotten my sins as far as the east is from the west. I now have a new beginning. I believe he will never leave me nor forsake me. I will not allow shame to be put on me by others for my past sins nor will they be my focus. I have given them to Christ. I receive my new beginning. Shame is not my portion. I am free.
Can you receive your new beginning? John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Reflection: What does that freedom look like for each of us? I compare it to prison doors being opened and people walking out free. What are you going to do with your new found freedom? My prayer is you will help others get free.
You are free.. Have a blessed day!
