“Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse.” (Galatians 3:13 MSG)
Reflecting of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, todays Scripture emphasizes that because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, God’s old Law is now dissolved and replaced with Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament Law.
I read a quote by Vern Poythress that says this:
“But the way of Christ is cross bearing. Christ offers us resurrection power, and hence the hope of renewing rather than losing the old. But the renewing always involves crucifixion. Many of us are too comfortable to be willing.”
Replacing the old with the new. That can include the old sin we somehow seem to cling on to. And sometimes it feels like the shame from previous sin resurfaces. I know for me, I try MY hardest to lose the old and forget about the sin instead of focusing more on the hope through the resurrection power. Yet, I wonder if God allows me to remember old sin to remind me of how HE rescued me, and can continue to renew me when I’m tempted to go back to old ways. I think self evaluation is part of what Lent and refinement is all about.
Just last night I was reading a book called “Detours” by Tony Evans. He’s writing about the well known quote that’s not in Scripture but people have said it is – that God will not put on you more than you can bear.
It went perfectly with what we’ve been reading and praying about this week when life can feel unbearable.
“There is a time when God will put more on you than you can bear. This is a time when He wants to strip you of you. He wants to break you of your own self dependence. He wants to remove your sense of self-sufficiency, your independence. God will in fact wear you down until you cry “uncle” sometimes-until you have reached a point of total dependence on him.”
Lets chew on that…
Lord, let me feel your resurrection power in my life in order to trump my sin and shame. Even though the process can be hard, and even painful, remind me of the cross you bore and the life you give because your love is so great. Amen.
How is it easy or difficult for you to let go of previous sin? How does it make you feel knowing that you have resurrection power?