Free From Accusation

As I stare at a blank sheet of paper it’s truly brought a moment of inspiration.  Usually as I stare at a blank sheet of paper it’s due to writers block, what to write?  Or what can I write to touch the hearts of those who really need to hear from the Lord?  As those thoughts enter my mind, I keep hearing part of this verse over and over again, “Free from accusation” it’s a powerful thought.  Yet, it should be more than a powerful thought; it should be the statement or declaration of the born-again believer. 

Free From Accusation

We all have experienced being false accused or gossiped in our lives.  It’s not a popular moment we want to share or discuss with others.  Especially if some of those accusations are true in our past, we know what we have done.  Did we “really” do that?  Or did that really happen?  How can we look at ourselves in the mirror?  Or how do reach for goals or believe for God’s best in our lives?  It’s all about the cross.  Although we understand this to be the center of our faith for eternity, do we understand the power of the cross?  If you don’t understand the power of the cross; you will never walk secure in life.  If you are walking still in guilt and shame after truly repenting of your sins; you are not walking in truth but condemnation.  Christ didn’t come into the world to condemn us but to redeem us from sin. (John 3:16-17)  Yet, the accuser of the brethren desires to destroy your life with half-truth or accusations.

     When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden they lived without shame, according to scripture “they were naked and felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25)  Keep in mind, we were created in the likeness of God, so what does this mean?  We were created without sin, holy, blameless, and for good.  Adam and Eve didn’t know what sin was or the definition; it wasn’t something they were familiar with.  Satan said to Eve, “You will BE LIKE God knowing good and evil.”  What is wrong with those statement two things: First, we were created in the likeness of God, so how more “like God” could we be in the garden?  Second, God isn’t evil, so how could He be evil?  God is love.  God is good.  God is holy.  It was a half-truth of Satan’s deception that led Eve to destruction to her soul and her life.  Sin brought destruction to Eve’s life; it was very costly.  Eve lost her home, her security, and relationships with her husband and God.  Sin has a price tag!  Yet, the cross paid the enormous price to make us free from accusation, shame, and guilt! 

     Before I started typing this blog, the page was blank with no words.  It was waiting to be filled with the words from my heart.  Blank, empty, and it was waiting to be filled with what I wrote on the page.  Waiting for words, so powerful I can touch the heart of who is reading it.  It’s not only an honor but a responsibility to those who read it.  Nevertheless, what’s so alarming is the “words” we believe about ourselves.  Words we have heard others speak, Satan’s accusations or our own self-talk in our lives?  So, how do you see yourself?  A deeper question to ask is how does God see you?  Oh, I am sure we have shuttered at times with this thought or believe God only sees our sin?  The power of cross will make us realize we are a sinner, no one is righteous.  It’s only through the power of the cross, we are restored-made righteous before God.  God doesn’t see your past; He sees potential of what He can do with your life. 

     As I was reading the account of Genesis again, I was truly touched about an important fact.  When was Eve named in scripture?  Was it before the fall or after?  Also who named her?  It’s quite interesting and very powerful to meditate on; she was named AFTER the fall.  Adam was able to name her Eve, the mother of all living, after the fall.  One moment Adam is blaming her to God, the next he is speaking truth or life about her.  Why?  He saw her through the eyes of grace, God’s design.  She was created for life, a life to bring glory to God.  After the fall account, scripture doesn’t ever mention this event again nor does God bring up Eve’s horrible sin again.  So if God never accused her again, why would He accuse you? God never will accuse, it’s not a language He speaks. 

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-Colossians 1:22

     So, what words are you using to describe yourself?  Does it match what God says about you?  If not, it’s time to erase those damaging words with truth.  It’s time to kick the devil in the teeth, so he can’t speak anymore into your ear.  The cross made a public display of him, destroyed all of his power, so you can walk free from accusations-the blood of Christ sealed the deal.

"When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." Colossians 2:13-15

Do you understand what Christ has done for YOU?  He made you alive with Him!  He forgave all your sins, canceled the debt completely!  He took it all away by nailing it to the cross!  He paid YOUR debt!  Also, He disarmed the rulers and authorities so nothing could prevent your growth or life!  Through the cross you are triumphant!  The cross proves your are victorious because the price was paid in full.

Search and Rescue

How can a small creature destroy the complete peace of an entire household?   A creature so small I have to search with a magnifying glass to verify it exists.  Oh, my mission is quite simple: this creature will be exterminated!  It will be exterminated without any evidence of ever being and its offspring terminated.  How can I say something so terrible?  Any parent will completely share my passion for destruction of this creature named “head lice.”  It’s no pleasant experience to have this un-welcomed guest in your house.   It’s contagious to all members of the household, so I had to search carefully through each scalp.  Besides search for this creature I had to completely re-clean my house, bedding, and spray chemical on my furniture.   It was no small undertaking to destroy the creature or it’s offspring but it had to be done to prevent further breakouts. 

As I started to re-think about this episode it brought a great revelation about sin.  Our hearts can be deceptive, so we must allow the Holy Spirit to search us.  Although the head lice was present, it wasn’t visible to the naked eye.  Nevertheless, it couldn’t be ignored because of the itchy discomfort upon my family.  Also, it could have been complete misdiagnoses as dry scalp.  So, I could have prolonged the issue with the wrong shampoo or caused a greater outbreak.  If I wanted to find out the problem, I had to search intensely for it.  As I carefully sifted through the hair of my entire family I couldn’t discover the problem until it was magnified, searched for, and properly diagnosed.  

If we truly desire to walk in the light, we must allow the Holy Spirit to search us.  If we refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to search us, read the Word, or to follow the voice of God we are opening our soul for sin to

take root.  The Holy Spirit desires for us to walk in the fullness of Christ, so He will convict us of sin.  It’s not pleasant to be exposed of sinful deeds but it’s only through the conviction of the Spirit can we discover the problem.  Correction, discipline, and obedience will open the door to maturity but it's must come directly from the Word and the Holy Spirit.  If we are unwilling to be pruned; we prevent growth or slowly allow life to slip away.  Sin will cause our spirits to be completely restless until we confess it.  "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." Psalm 32:3-4

Sin has to be acknowledged, confessed, and exposed.  We can't run from it or it will run us over.  If anyone preaches or teaches otherwise; they don't follow the Word of God.   Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"- and you FORGAVE the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Sin doesn’t discriminate against anyone; it’s only power is bondage and destruction but it's start when we yield to it.  Instead of capturing his lustful thoughts for Bathsheba, David got captured in adultery and murder.  We may not have committed the acts of King David but it doesn’t mean we are sinless.  Our sins or temptations may be different for someone else’s but it still cost God the same price-the death of His Son.  So, whether if the issue is gossiping, lusting, lying, pride, rage or un-forgiveness it has to be dealt with because we are to be imitators of God.  “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)   Sin only needs an open door crack to gain possession.  It may seem “fun” or “have a season” of pleasure but it’s very costly destruction.  It’s not only destructive to our lives but it can destroy the lives of those we love, our reputation, and lead us to gates of Hell. 

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

By allowing the Holy Spirit to search our heart, we will discover the truth.  We can have the intimacy with God we crave but we must allow our hearts to be searched, confess our faults, and submissive to His Word and leading.  “To love God and build a relationship with Him is our call, our purpose, our commitment, our very reason for existing. Everything else....EVERYTHING else flows from that.” Sue King

So, the question is has the bondage of sin been exterminated in your life?  Sin is very powerful but its no match for the grace of God.  God's grace is greater than all our sins.  At the cross the power of sin broken, the penalty has been paid and the curse has been destroyed through the blood of Christ. “Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:24 NLT)

Forgiveness is promised to anyone who acknowledges, admits, and confesses their sin.  Christ didn't come to condemn the world but to redeem the world from it's sin.  Christ paid the penalty to free us, cleanse us, and make us His own.  The price has been paid through his love; He doesn't ask for refunds.

Titus 2:14 "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

    

The Nose Hook of Sin

Sin is sin; it cost our Savior to die whether it was a white lie or murder.  What’s the greatest sin?  Does God have a scale to measure what is the greatest or least committed sin by mankind?  As I was reading Genesis recently; I was very surprised at a verse found in Genesis 6:6, “The Lord was grieved that he made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”  Have you ever thought of God’s heart filled with pain? It was hurt due to several issues: sons of God were marrying ungodly women, inclinations of the thoughts of heart were ONLY evil, and full of violence; and corrupted there ways. (Genesis 6:1-12)

What people do not understand is our thoughts are just as important as our actions.  Sin is birthed in the mind through our OWN evil desires.  James 1:14-15 records, “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  Sin destroys not only our relationship with God but with mankind; this is the truth of the commandments.  Yet, sadly it seems we desire to compare our sinful scars or validate ourselves since we haven’t committed someone else’s sinful act.      

    It’s only through the Word of God is sin defined.  “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.” (I Timothy 1:8-10)  Doesn't it sound like a rough crowd of people?

     Besides sin being defined by God; the Father sent the cure-His Son to die for ALL mankind.  Sin has been committed by all; no one is righteous. (Romans 3:23)  Yet, the penalty of sin has been paid for through the death of Christ.  It’s only through the death of Christ we can be made righteous before God. (Romans 5:19) If you are human, we all have been tempted by sin even our precious Savior was tempted. (Hebrews 4:15) Only Christ is the only one who was tempted in all ways but DIDN’T SIN.  He is our advocate, mediator and high priest who can sympathize with our weakness.  So, we don’t have to be afraid to approach him regardless of the dark deeds we have done, he just wants us to come.

     Although the Apostle Paul describes himself as “the chief of sinners”, scripture is full of some interesting characters who have committed some horrifying actions such as King Manasseh.  King Manasseh did evil in the eyes of the Lord by following the evil practices of the nation. (2 Kings 21:2) What was so evil? Scripture records Manasseh committed the following: rebuilt the high places, erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah pole, he bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshipped them, built altars to the starry hosts in the Lord’s temple, sacrificed his OWN son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. (2 Kings 21:3-6)  Sadly, the list continues through the chapter by leading the children of Israel astray and his sins were GREATER than the Amorites.  God called out to Manasseh but he ignored His voice.  What was going to turn Manasseh’s heart?  Manasseh was pulled by a hook in his nose and shackles into the dungeon of his enemy. (2 Chronicles 33:11) Sin will capture your life with shackles pulling your soul into the chambers of Hell.  As the shackles weighed upon his life; it was leading him to his prison cell.  Was Manasseh getting righteous judgment by God?  Of course, the penalty of sin was to be paid.  God’s holiness will produce righteous judgment but the judgment issued comes from our choices. 

     What if King Manasseh entered our church doors?  How do you think we would respond?  Would we offer grace to this man; a man who murdered his child, committed idolater, and caused the downfall of a nation?  How great is Manasseh’s sin?  It is pretty great; there is no argument here.  Yet, there is something greater!  God’s amazing grace!  God’s grace covered all of Manasseh’s sin, restored his life, and his kingdom.  What captured the heart of God?  It was a heart with humility. (2 Chronicles 33:13)  He sought the favor of the Lord in his distress, truly repented by removing the evil he made, and followed God’s Word.  

The only way to get free from the nose hook of sin is humbly calling upon God.  If we truly are broken over our actions, turn away from our sinful life, and choose to follow Him; it's how repentance is defined.  We can't hide our sinful deeds from God but we can be set free from sin, the dreadful shame removed, and our life restored.  We don't have to walk in bondage to the chambers of destruction with the enemy having a hook to our nose.  Have you committed the same sins as King Manasseh?  Maybe so or maybe not but it doesn't matter what you did.  Christ came to redeem the vilest of all sinners who will call upon His name.  It's time to remove the chains of sin!  Christ died to set you free, so come to Him!

Lonesome Avenue

     Regardless of how far I fall, I can’t hide from God’s love.   It still lures me in; I can’t escape its drawing.  Sometimes, I wonder if God is done with me, I have fallen in the pit again.  The pit of sin is so dark, deep, and alone.   It seems the longer I sit, the longer I have to hear my enemy whisper lies of condemnation.  “Why don’t you give up?”  “God will not listen to you anyone, you are a failure.”  Lies don’t hold any power unless we believe them, although their deception can hold us.  Well, it can’t keep us if we accept the truth of God’s Word.  All of Satan’s lies unravel the moment we believe, accept, and walk in the truth.  God doesn’t give up on us, He does believe in us. 

        A friend of mine said, "Faith is man believing in God, Grace is God believing in man."   As I got ready for work this morning, I felt the nudging of the Spirit calling me to come.  I desired to be with Him but I felt so unworthy to approach Him.  Have you ever been there?   Guilt has the ability to point us one way down Lonesome Avenue.  On Lonesome Avenue, there are no lights or direction to guide expect into darkness.  It brings us to isolation from finding hope, shelter, and peace.  As each lie cords around our heart, fear enters our lives to cause us to be paralyzed.  We can’t move or think until God speaks.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105  Love holds no boundaries, it lights the way to bring healing.  As the morning rose, so did my heart because God spoke to me.  All throughout the morning, God prompted me to read Psalm 34.  As I read it, the promises of God were profound, uplifting, and perfect. 

     Psalm 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  As I continued to read, I couldn’t help but cry out for gratitude of God’s faithfulness.  The Lord is aware of our struggles, our troubles, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  What’s so beautiful about God’s Word, it cuts right to the heart.  If we are really willing to allow the Spirit to open us, we will be restored.  Why do we hold unto the pain? I don’t understand why I hold onto my mistakes, it’s easier to hold God’s hand.  We will guide us to the path of righteousness for His namesake.  (Psalm 23:3)  As we walk we God, we learn who He is.  As the psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

    
     If we are willing to listen to the Spirit speak, we will get off Lonesome Ave and enter our Shalom.  Shalom means peace in the Hebrew Language. Our Shalom (Jesus) is our only refuge.  He is the only One who can redeem us, shelter us, and remove all of the condemnation.  Condemnation can’t enter a heart at peace with God, they are blessed.  Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

     Sin will always separate us from the peace and fellowship with God, but never from the love of God.  Well, I admit today I am done traveling down this lonesome road.  As I went to prayer, I felt at home.  No matter what, I can’t run from the place I belong.  I belong with God.  So, are you feeling guilty or alone?  You don’t have to listen to the lies anymore, come to Jesus.  He is only calling you, so you can come home.