September 18

So how does one become free, then?

I believe that's where the denial of self comes in. Denial of self is a very difficult teaching. It is far too easy to interpret self-denial as literally denying yourself fun and goodness and lightness of heart. It is equally easy to interpret it as self-flagellation, as sort of an ongoing fixation on our inability to stand before God.

As you look at the cross, it is easy to get stuck on the fact that you might as well have been the person holding the nails and swinging the hammer. And that is true. But it is also half of the story. The other half is Jesus publicly asking for our forgiveness because we don't know what we are doing.

In a similar way, brokeness before God is just half the picture. Yes, we are all worthy of condemnation. But we are also forgiven, brought back into our heritage as His by His love made concrete through the pleas of Jesus to forgive us. It is not enough to realize that we are guilty of putting Jesus on the cross. After that must come the realization that once put there, Jesus--my Lord and my God--asked for our forgiveness. And by the very action that causes our condemnation, we are give the keys to forgiveness.

Judging yourself is to some degree appropriate, but it is not enough. We have to understand that judgement to understand that we have screwed up and that we fall short. And then, we have to do something about it. And that something determines whether we are broken by the Rock of Salvation or elevated by it.

We have to understand that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him might not perish, but have eternal life.

Well, if God is with you, then what can you not withstand if you stay in His graces? Every single thing that you have can be stripped away, except for the love of a Father who went to extraordinary means to show us that love. And with that realization comes the understanding that nothing can hurt you.

And that is the beginning of freedom.