Talk Back and Suit Up – Part 2

By Linda Grabeman

 

I know this first hand: Guilt rocks your world.

It steals your rest,

preoccupies your every thought

and then, just for good measure,

punches you in the gut to make sure you gasp for air.

Sound familiar?

Maybe it was unintentional, or maybe you’re dead wrong, but the bottom line is, you feel like dirt. Great segue way back to the Garden, where this all began.

If you haven’t read Part 1 of this blog, please read it.

After the Fall, Satan gave two dubious gifts to Adam and Eve: Dread and Disgrace.

We dealt with Dread last week, now Disgrace.

The Bible pegs its two main characters with precision.

Satan is called “the Accuser of our brothers and sisters”, “the one who led the world astray”.

Jesus is called “the One who sets free”, “the Sacrifice to clear away our sins.”

Satan reviews and rehearses our sins; Jesus forgives and forgets them.

Team Satan yells only guilt, Team Jesus whispers only grace.

Are you tired of listening to the wrong team? Team Satan?

Both teams talk all the time, but the volume is very different.

Let me ask you this: Have you apologized to God for the umpteenth time?

Here’s the truth: That is not a spiritual discipline, it is identity confusion.

It’s not who you are anymore. Jesus forgave you the first time.

We are FORGIVEN, with no need of earning our way back into God’s presence.

Satan GRADES, Jesus gives GRACE. He brings beauty where there was once brokenness.

There’s a war between guilt and grace and they’re fighting for a sacred space –

But I’m living proof – Grace wins every time! Grace Wins by Matthew West.

We are REDEEMED. But more than that, we are also RECONCILED.

The sign on the door to the throne room of God still says “Welcome.

Come In. I’ve been waiting for you. So glad to see you.”

Guilt will rock your world, grace soothes your soul.

Feeling better?

 

The Cross was enough for all our sins. All of them. Even that one that always comes to mind when we are feeling hard on ourselves. Because if Jesus’ redemption doesn’t cover every one of our sins, it is not sufficient for any of them. But it does, and it is.

And even better, Jesus doesn’t even remember them.

And if He doesn’t remember them, why would we?

 

Live in grace. Listen for the whispers.

Stay on the Team Jesus frequency.

Love,

Linda