Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 31, 2015
To him [Jesus] who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. Revelation 1:5
As a nineteen year old freshman in college, I was shackled by my sins. I felt chained to my past pain, held captive by my present guilt and fearful of the future consequences from my misdeeds. Fortunately, I was introduced to the love of God by a godly family whose evangelism was love. They invited me to church. There, I understood for the first time the seriousness of my sins, and the abundance of God’s grace. I trusted in Jesus. He forgave my sins and set me free. Like some communist countries post 1989—I was liberated. Our Lord Jesus liberates us by His love!
The blood of Christ on the cross not only washes away the stain of our sins—it breaks the bondage of sin’s control over our being. Our lustful thoughts become thoughts of true love. Our motivation for more money grows into quiet acts of generosity. Our angry outbursts are tamed into a spirit of gentle patience by the Holy Spirit. Jesus loved us—loves us—and will love us. Our exalted Christ in heaven loves us, just as on earth our humble servant Jesus loved us. Each nail driven into the cross had a resounding thud of emancipation. His shed blood—was our Liberator.
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).
Are you held back by a besetting sin? If so, release it to the love of Jesus. His loving forgiveness will heal your malady and replace it with His righteous strength so you can overcome. Sin is an affront to Almighty God. Yes, because of His holiness, but also because of His great love. Rejected divine love says the fleeting affections of my little idols are enough. Accepted divine love can’t get enough of eternity’s embrace. Your compassionate Lord looks down in empathy and extends His love to you. Will you let go of your trinkets and trust Jesus? His love liberates.
Furthermore, live in ongoing worshipful celebration of Christ’s love. Like a post war victory parade, Jesus has overcome sin, Satan and death. We are more than conquerors, because Jesus has conquered, is conquering and will conqueror. He came to forgive on earth riding a lowly donkey but He will emerge from heaven ready to judge mounted on a conquering stallion. The victorious love of Christ flows from hearts full of Him. So, believe in the love of Jesus, receive the love of Jesus and be set free by the love of Jesus! We worship our Liberator and trust Him to overcome by His love.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35,37).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust in Jesus to set me free from my great sin—by His great love.
Application: What disordered love of mine needs Christ’s perfect love? What besetting sin do I need to let go of?
Related Readings: Romans 5:8-9; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:7, 5:2; 1 Peter 1:18-20
Post/Tweet this today: Jesus loved us, loves us and will love us. #loveliberates #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 5 minute music video- Quenton Mills: I Found The Lily in My Valley
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