The Humiliating Secret
part 1

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1Tim 1:15)

Many of us, who claim to be followers of Jesus, try to hold on to God's mercy in one hand, but have a secret sin hidden in the other. For many years, I knew that terrible gnawing in my soul. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. (Psalm 32:3) Sin promised fulfillment, but it enslaved me, to turn my face from Jesus, to fleeting and tormented pleasures.

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. (1John 3:6-7) Scriptures like this stirred my anguish... I would counter with another... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9) Still, I remained a slave. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever." (John 8:34-35)

Be assured, there is a way out. But it is the Lord's way, not our own. Jesus came to save desperate sinners, like me. We begin with the fearful and terrifying truth, the bad news: we cannot free ourselves. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32) The good news is that Jesus is calling to us, to bring us freedom and life.

Somewhere in the continuing cycle of repent and fall, repent and fall, faith in my ability to overcome dissolved. Be assured, dear soul, I could not free myself. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36) "What's wrong with me? Why doesn't Jesus set me free?" Thoughts like this tormented my soul, like pieces of broken glass in my stomach.

But the Son has come looking for us. By the gift of his grace, we trust him. By the death he died on the cross for us, we believe in his love. And by his resurrection, we believe in his power to save us from our sins. Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Lord Jesus, you have overcome the world, and in you there is not one anxious thought. All I need is you, to trust you, and give you my burdens, to repent from my own striving... by your grace, according to your promise, walk with me through the storm, and into freedom in you.

Today's very great and precious promise

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

You have God's Word on it.