Recently Mel Gibson spoke of the incident that abruptly halted his career in 2010, the message he left for his now ex-wife in which all manner of nasty things were said. In this interview he referred to his alcoholism as the reason for his breakdown, and was happy to report 10 years of sobriety. He also spoke of the difficult road he has walked in order to get back into the Hollywood game and redeem his name, and career. It seems casting directors, producers, investors, and the general public don't easily forget such a public shaming, no matter the level of talent Gibson has shown over decades of a thriving career in performance art. This got me thinking about the concept of redemption, and how elusive it can be in this world where everyone feels very comfortable being a judge, no matter their involvement, or knowledge of the offense, offender, or defendant. In light of this I am so grateful to be loved by a God whose one goal since man fell to sin was to re-connect and reconcile to man. This God, who is the only true judge, sent and sacrificed His son so that we could receive perfect redemption for our past mistakes and now we can commune with him, again! I am just so grateful that God is so much better (aka perfect) at redemption than we are.
#scripturetiein
Redemption is at the very core of our salvation. Salvation is freedom from sin. More specifically, it is freedom from bearing the burden of sin. Before Christ was given for us, on the cross, man needed to spill blood in order to receive redemption from whatever sins he had committed since the last time he spilled blood. Animals were born and raised for the purpose of being blood offerings to a God who was jealous for mankind - wanting a relationship with his creation again. This temporary redemption absolved man from his sins in the eyes of God, but it was not enough to grant permanence, because the sacrifices themselves weren't perfect. True redemption required a perfect sacrifice-a sacrifice that was blameless in and of itself. This sacrifice would take on the past, present, and future sins of mankind, allowing God to be in relationship with us, again.
This perfect sacrifice was Christ.
In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise". Revelation 5:12
For the first time in the history of sacrifices, this sacrifice of Christ was the first to be referred to as "worthy". And, it is the worthiness of this sacrifice that allows us to be fully and permanently redeemed in the eyes of God.
We all sin. Some of us have struggles that are more pronounced than others. And some are forced to bear a greater worldly burden, due to the public nature of their sins. If you've ever been in a position where you screwed up, and it seemed no matter what you did to redeem yourself, no one could forget it, then you know the value of a slate wiped clean. The key is that you cannot redeem yourself. You are not worthy to do so. But the good news is that He who is worthy has already redeemed you! Grab hold of that redemption today. Be reminded that if you believe in that perfect sacrifice, and take up your cross to follow Him, you are redeemed. Your sins are no longer a burden that you need to bear and atone for! Leave them behind and move forward down that narrow path, that leads to life of communion with God.
This perfect sacrifice was Christ.
In a loud voice they were saying: "Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise". Revelation 5:12
For the first time in the history of sacrifices, this sacrifice of Christ was the first to be referred to as "worthy". And, it is the worthiness of this sacrifice that allows us to be fully and permanently redeemed in the eyes of God.
We all sin. Some of us have struggles that are more pronounced than others. And some are forced to bear a greater worldly burden, due to the public nature of their sins. If you've ever been in a position where you screwed up, and it seemed no matter what you did to redeem yourself, no one could forget it, then you know the value of a slate wiped clean. The key is that you cannot redeem yourself. You are not worthy to do so. But the good news is that He who is worthy has already redeemed you! Grab hold of that redemption today. Be reminded that if you believe in that perfect sacrifice, and take up your cross to follow Him, you are redeemed. Your sins are no longer a burden that you need to bear and atone for! Leave them behind and move forward down that narrow path, that leads to life of communion with God.
#liveit
A life lived in shame is a impotent life. Shame will weigh you down and cause you to feel like you are not worthy to produce or work for God. Well, it's true. You are not worthy on your own. But worthy IS the lamb who was slain. The debt of your sins has already been paid. Think of it this way, if a generous person paid off your mortgage, would you continue sending checks to the bank every month? Of course not! Well, this is what you're doing if you're living life with shame, if you are one of Christ's redeemed.
To live out redemption is simple: live! Live your life and live it for Christ. You have a purpose and a plan. Seek it out and implement it, by the grace of God. Don't let the mistakes of your past hold you back from having an effective future in the service of Christ. If you've been putting off pursuing your purpose because you don't think God can forgive or accept you, that ends today. Take the gift of redemption and get started on your next missional project!
#prayer
To live out redemption is simple: live! Live your life and live it for Christ. You have a purpose and a plan. Seek it out and implement it, by the grace of God. Don't let the mistakes of your past hold you back from having an effective future in the service of Christ. If you've been putting off pursuing your purpose because you don't think God can forgive or accept you, that ends today. Take the gift of redemption and get started on your next missional project!
#prayer
Lord, There are times here on earth in which we make mistakes that seem to be written on the minds of those around us in indelible ink. The weight of our mistakes can be so heavy on our shoulders, and make our attempts at moving forward in life seem so futile. Lord, let us be reminded that you have paid it ALL. You didn't pay some, or a little. You paid it ALL. Lord, reveal the plans you have for our lives and give us the strength to do them! Thank you Lord for being the perfect sacrifice. I'm sorry Lord for the times I've assumed that sacrifice to be insufficient, by believing there's no way it atoned for my sins. I know Lord, in my heart, that it was enough - that YOU are enough. Let me live in that truth today, and always.
Amen
Amen
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