Jesus loves all believers including those who are struggling. He wants us to experience being free in Him, through real repentance and faith. So why are so many Christians living in bondage to sin? I believe one of the main reasons is a lack of repentance.
Mark 1:15
“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
Repentance requires humility. A willingness to admit that I can’t be made right with God through human effort. Trying harder or rubbing some dirt on it won’t make me whole. But when we humble ourselves, repent of our sin and trust Christ as our Lord and Savior, life transformation takes place. Since we are new creations in Christ, let’s not go back to living in bondage. The key to continuing in our freedom in the Lord starts with ongoing repentance.
Psalm 51:12-14
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
When we humble ourselves, pray to the Lord for His leading and power, turn away from our sin and trust Christ and His word for how we can move forward, then we experience His forgiveness and spiritual, emotional, relational blessings. Then we can find true joy in serving the Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-10
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?