This bi-weekly (for now) devotional is devoted to setting people free from the bondage of sin, through the power of the Gospel, practical biblical teaching and to equip people to live freely empowered through Jesus Christ.
February 21, 2012
Wounded or Scarred
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 NIV
I observe a lot. God has made me more aware of the struggles that many of us face because of past mistakes, sin. Many people love God and are trying to live a life which will bring Him glory yet we have a hard time because of the consequences of sin. We are scarred by the physical side effects of addiction, haunted by sexual behaviors, and bouts with anger rooted in unforgiveness. We have to determine if we are scarred or wounded.
"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which god has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Scars are there to remind us of something which happened in the past. A true scar is a wound that is healed. It may have been formed by some horrible act, accident, or poor choice. A wound, on the other hand is not healed. It is still sensitive to touch. We protect it when someone comes to close to it. The Apostle Paul gives us a method for healing wounds. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Seems to hard? But notice what he is saying has two parts. In order to forget what is behind you have to strain for what's ahead. We have to accept that God has forgiven us and we need to forgive ourselves.
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:35 NIV
Behind us is every bad choice, mistake, sin that we have ever committed. Behind us is the pain, guilt, sorrow, and regret from the decisions which we suffer through now. Behind us also is Calvary. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross and so were all our sins. Before us is the promise of God, the prize, eternal life, life as it should be. Today, stop re-opening the wounds of the past. Let them heal. Wear the scars, just like Jesus does for us.
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 NIV
