Sigh. Another sin, another setback. You can almost hear the pen of Heaven etch it onto the list of endless transgressions you’ve committed.
Sound familiar? It does to me. That gooey, quicksandish feeling is one of the devil’s effective tranquilizers. However, in this case, it only lasts but a second. There you sit, or rather, lay, defeated on the battleground of your favorite immoral behavior, waiting for the final blow. Yet it never comes. Have you ever noticed that? Somehow, when you’re lying there discouraged and vulnerable, the enemy seems to be satisfied. Why’d he walk away when this was a perfect chance to finish you?
He didn’t walk away. He got cast away. Immediately after your lost battle, the Savior swoops in. That clarity you strangely feel after a lost battle? What if that’s the Atonement working powerfully in your life, without you even knowing or asking for it?
I believe that the Savior chooses to step in immediately after. “Why then”, you might ask, “do I still mourn after I’ve sinned?” Simply because you haven’t let him in and burned the ships of shame. Do not get shame confused with godly sorrow, now. In which direction does that feeling you’re feeling prompt you to go? Towards self-improvement? Or self-disapprovement? (Yes, that is now a word.)
My point can be made clear through an evaluation of the Savior’s character. Work on that.
It can also be complemented by a few verses in Colossians 2 concerning the Atonement:
“And you, being dead in your sins, hath he quickened (caused to become alive) together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you[!]”
Remember that long list of trespasses with your name at the top? It doesn’t exist anymore. It was nailed to the cross! It was literally taken “out of the way” like some kind of traffic cone blocking the street! No worries, no problem, no big deal!
Seem too easy? I’m not going to sit here and explain to you the necessities of repentance, because we know those and focus on them too much. What we don’t focus on enough is the immediate reconciliation that is constantly and always offered to us. And by the way, when God says not to let anybody judge you, He means you too! You will not be the final judge of yourself, God will. And God’s opinion is pretty heavily influenced by the Dude making a shew of your sins openly and triumphing over them.
So next time you experience the mourning after a morally difficult situation, give Colossians 2:14 a read and try to find your Heavenly list of sins. And let me know if you find mine… I still haven’t!
p.s. If you like this, you’ll love my good friend’s book: Like Dragons Did They Fight. It is a necessary read for any and all people who want the truth about Satanic attacks. Download the free pdf here:
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