Through the Filter of the Cross
Do you blame yourself for past mistakes? Do you insist on labeling yourself as a loser? Are you stuck in a rut?
It’s time to wake up to see yourself with God’s eyes.
It’s time to embrace the freedom of Christ.
It’s time to believe the good news of forgiveness and renewal.
It’s time to let the bygones be bygones.
It’s time to move on into new life with God.
Kurt Bubna profoundly writes in his book Epic Grace, Chronicles of a Recovering Idiot:
“The Bible teaches that those who are in relationship with Christ have a new identity and are no longer defined by their actions. God doesn’t see us the way we typically see ourselves. He doesn’t see us the way others see us either. In fact, he sees us through the filter of the Cross. He sees us through the blood of his Son, Jesus. Simply put, this is the good news we call ‘the gospel’. This is the word of hope we hold on to. We can change. Through Jesus, we can become brand-new people.”
When we are in Jesus, we are not defined by our past. When our blood-stained past is through grace washed snow-white, our past is forgotten by God. Why then would you still blame yourself for it? Why would you carry the shame around when all is forgiven? See, God really uses the filter of the Cross. When you’ve been reconciled with God, you are a brand-new person. It’s time to let the bygones be bygones for sure.
For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. (Titus 3:3.7, AMP, *)
When we are in Jesus, we are defined by God’s grace. And grace tells us that we are very, very special in God’s eyes. We are God’s children and he loves us very, very much. That’s your true identity: God’s beloved. Don’t you dare to be mean to yourself! If you don’t know how to let go, ask God to enable you to do it.
Kurt Bubna continues “I find great comfort knowing that I am not stuck in a rut, and neither are you. I am not bound to my past, and neither are you. I am not trapped in my old identity, and neither are you. Whatever has happened – no matter what – can be used by God to help us better become who we truly are in him. He has changed me. He is changing me. I am daily becoming more and more who I already am in Him.”
It’s time to let God’s grace change us according to God’s plans.
It’s time to learn to live in the freedom of Christ.
It’s time to learn to live in grace.
It’s time to learn to bask in God’s love.
It’s time to claim our new identity in Christ.
Gracious God,
Thank you for welcoming all of us into your arms.
Forgive us for messing up our lives.
Forgive us also for not believing we are forgiven.
Help us to leave the past behind us.
Enable us to step into the future as who we are in you.
Empower us to live everyday in your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Is it hard for you to stop blaming yourself?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you let God’s grace change you according to God’s plan.
* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]
Image courtesy of Forrest Cavale, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Unite the Bloggersphere , Three Word Wednesday and #tellhisstory.
This post is part of #EpicGraceWednesdays. I am blogging through Kurt Bubna’s Epic Grace. Join me every Wednesday!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review (or any review for that matter). The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
4 thoughts on “Through the Filter of the Cross”
I love the quote you shared from Kurt Bubna. I am going to need to put this book on my “to read” list for certain. I am so grateful that our God sees me through the filter of the Cross. I am grateful that you reminded me this morning that I am defined by God’s grace. Thank you for these words today! Blessings!!
Epic Grace is definitively worth of reading! I just gave it to my husband to read. I am so grateful for life-giving and renewing grace too. So delighted this blessed you this morning. May God continue to bless you according to you every – known and unknown- need!
I really need to read this book. 🙂 I too love reading scripture in different translations. I’ve become fond of The Message and Voice translations. I have these three words playing over and over again in my mind lately… grace upon grace. Joining you in prayer…”Empower us to live every day in your grace.” Amen. Thanks for sharing with TWW.
Blessings,
Beth
Oh, yesx3. 1) Epic grace truly rocks. 2) The different Bible translations help us to embrace God’s message in new ways. 3) Grace upon grace. Always more than enough. What a way to live your life remembering God’s love without measure. 🙂 Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts with us. Blessings upon blessings!