Nailing Lust to the Cross
Lust is not love, and not always an easy thing to talk about.
It can bring up feelings of defiance, self righteousness, denial, shame… at least for me, in the past. While there were times when I felt manipulated, mostly I felt my mistakes were made because of my own curiosity. I wanted what I wanted, but of course I didn’t want anyone else to know about it!
Everything changed when in my lowest season, God showed me his love anyway. When I felt broken and burned, he asked me if I believed he could make my heart pink and new again? As I prayed, all I could see was a blackened heart, half dead, wrapped in chains, nails pricking the flesh. But I chose to believe. And God did heal. 🔥❤️
Over the past week or so, I’ve been reminded - through news headlines, conversations with friends, the Bible - that lust has been an issue for humans for ages (see 2 Peter 2:7-10 💥). When I hear of people being treated in inhuman ways for another’s sadistic pleasure, it’s painful and how much more God is pained. Whatever we’ve done, thought, said, initiated, agreed to, suffered - there is forgiveness, redemption, justice because of the Cross. We’re never left to deal with the consequences of our sin, or the consequences of another’s sin on us, alone. We’re not insignificant throwaway toys - we’re daughters of the Most High God with God himself promising to be our defender. We belong to him. We can live unashamed.
Grace, such abounding grace, has been given to us freely. Whether it’s lust or some other sin that’s grieving our hearts, may we run to Jesus today (and everyday) confessing our sins, interceding for others, being washed by his blood.
*Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
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