Devotion 9/22, Spirit of the Living God
Jesus asked the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
John 8:10-11
Given time and opportunity, we will each display our sinful nature.
It is only by grace that the Spirit works to draw us to repentance. We have no choice but to recognize our sin. As Isaiah cried out “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
In that gift of forgiveness we can mercifully shed our guilt and shame, but only because the Son has carried it.
Our God gave us grace to not only be forgiven of our past sins but also to call us away from that sin and into a life of productive service, service which he planned for us and designed us to do (Ephesians 2:1-10).
We are not just saved FROM something horrible; we are saved FOR something wonderful!
O Lord my God, you are holy and gracious in all your ways. So, dear Father, please transform my heart and life so I can live in your divine will. Please give me the assurance of forgiveness, confidence in my deliverance from shame, and courage in my future with you so I can leave my sin behind and embrace the life of productive service you have prepared for me to do. In Jesus’ name, I ask you for your gracious and unlimited power to mold my heart and shape my life into a clearer reflection of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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