In Part 2, I highlighted Hebrews 12:1-2. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Once I gained a better understanding of these two verses, other scriptures came to mind:

1 John 1:9 says, “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   

Confession and repentance lead to receiving the cleansing Jesus paid for with His blood.

1 Peter 2:24 says, “(Jesus Christ) Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

My mind decided I wasn’t worthy of forgiveness. But my worthiness comes from what Jesus did.  We are living on this side of the cross.

And one more, Romans 3:22-25 “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood.” NLT

Jesus paid for our forgiveness in full. When we confess our sins and by God’s grace turn away from our sins and follow Him, we receive that forgiveness.  As we walk with Him, Holy Spirit continues to re-create us in His image. 

With these realizations, I knew the first step to freedom. I needed to throw shame and guilt out and shut the door. But how?

Romans 10:9 is a scripture we’ve all heard: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This scripture applies to more than the initial step to salvation.  When confessed Jesus died for our sins, God forgave us. We can experience salvation from guilt and shame.  This is a promise, we are not repeating a lie.  Let truth fill your heart and mind and transform your life.

The enemy can put thoughts in our mind but we have a choice whether to let them stay. God’s counsel to us is this: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  Philippians 4:8. All of these things are about Jesus and what He gave us.

How about telling the enemy and anyone else accusing you—including yourself? “I am forgiven by the blood of the Lamb.  I stand blameless before God because of the price Jesus paid.”

Ephesians 1:7  “In Him we (I) have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..”

Ephesians 1:4 “He chose us (me) in Him before the foundation of the world, that we (I) should be holy and without blame before Him in love,”

Many scriptures declare our freedom in Christ.  Find the ones you like best. Put yourself in them.  Write them down and put them on your mirror or somewhere you can see them every day.  Jesus quoted the word when satan (he doesn’t deserve a capital letter) tempted Him in the wilderness.  God’s word was a double-edged sword against the lying tempter.  The Word is our sword of the Spirit against the enemy, as found in Ephesians 6:17.

Now, when the abuse or humiliation others did to us shuts us down, there are other things we can do. 

First, forgive the people involved and pray for them.  Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” r

Praying for our enemies is not easy. You can begin by saying, “Lord, I forgive______ and I ask that You bless them.”  Then, every time those feelings or accusations return, do it again.  Over time joy will grow, prayer will grow, and your feelings for those people will change.)

Joseph forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery.  Jesus forgave those who put Him on the cross to pay for sins all of us committed. 

 James 4:7 says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

We submit ourselves to God by doing things God’s way.  God’s heart is that we live joy-filled lives.  He wants us to receive His blessings and walk with Him.  The enemy can lock us down in shame, guilt, grief, bitterness, and unforgiveness. When he does, we are not free to live the life Jesus died to give us.  Jesus despised shame. He didn’t even acknowledge it.  Instead, He chose to look beyond it to God’s promises. 

What are God’s promises to you?  He didn’t promise a life free of suffering.  He promised us that He is with us and is never going to turn His back on us.

In the first part of Hebrews 12 verses, Paul speaks of some of the weights that hinder us in the race set before us.  Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

Unforgiveness, shame, and guilt fit that description.  So does grief when it all but suffocates us.  I heard a woman recently share that God asked her, “How long are you going to camp on ‘his grave?”  Someone she loved died years before, and she could not figure out why she could not go on. 

If shame plays a role in any way with the loved one we are grieving for, we must know that God forgave us, and so has our loved one.  When we don’t forgive ourselves we discredit the price Jesus paid for our sin.

We are putting ourselves above God’s word.

Ask Holy Spirit for the grace to forgive yourself and others.  

Receive the freedom to fulfill God’s plan for your life.

Allowing these squatters to remain in His temple—YOU—is not God’s will.  He gave us authority.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  Luke 10:19

Let’s quit asking God to do something He’s given us to do.  Joy is available.

Pick up your sword and do some house cleaning.  And praise Him as Paul and Silas did.  His Kingdom lives in us.  Let’s rejoice and see it manifest on earth as it is in heaven.

Shalom ♥

Photo by syedqaseem.

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