"I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God."
Like the comforting weight of
a quilt in the midst of a cold, icy storm. It warms and soothes and begs me to
remain cozy underneath.
Free.
From any condemnation.
It feels so good.
And yet, I find myself
disquieted with it around me. The stillness, the lack of striving, and the
relaxation feel foreign and confining.
I can see others who could
use the warmth of this pieced together solid comfort but I struggle to accept
the balm it pours over my own wounds.
The persistent rest settles
over my struggling frame despite my resistance and feels agonizing and
delicious.
Free.
From any condemnation.
Any?
I am struck by the
condemnations that so quickly fill my mind. Other voices, my own voice. Any rumors and gossip. Failures. Missteps. Lies.
Free.
From any condemnation.
I pray long against those
voices, forcing myself to stay in the embrace of the soft wrap. Asking for
faith to believe.
Free.
From any condemnation.
Condemnation:
a statement or expression of very strong and definite criticism and
disapproval of, especially in public; censure; action of condemning someone to
a punishment
Not a denial of
accountability.
Not an escape from the
immediate consequence of sin.
Free of condemnation. The
disapproval from someone else.
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one.”
Romans 8:33-34a
“Christ Jesus…is at the right hand of God and is also
interceding for us.” Romans 8:34b
For us.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31b
Who?
I am choosing this.
I need the warmth. It heals.
I need the assurance. It
empowers.
I need the embrace. It
secures.
Freedom.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus…”
Romans 8:1
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that
we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God
and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings that we may also
share in his glory.”
Romans 8:16-17
“Father, that all accusation we gather and spew and
carry would be submissively brought to your feet.
Before You all the blame falls listless.
All the comparing and the judging silenced by the
voice of our Christ:
Counting our wounds as his own.
Carefully examining our scars.
Pleading for all of us.”
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need.” Hebrews 4:16
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of
heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8
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