Week 10- Sin and Brokenness
Sin is not a word that we are often comfortable talking about. We find it much easier to talk about freedom and forgiveness and yet, these are only possible if we acknowledge the presence of sin.
The Bible is full of direct references to sin from the origin of it in the Garden to the New Jerusalem where there is no sin. And yet, at every opportunity, God is moving towards people in love. Being aware of sin does not result in God retreating, but the opposite. David, in the Psalms, is honest about his life and his failings and these psalms turn back to God at the end. Recognising and acknowledging our sin, instead of ignoring it, causes us to face God. This only happens, however, when we believe that God is gracious and compassionate. The way that we know this is true is because of Jesus, who came to dwell among us, face temptation himself and die on our behalf. Jesus is familiar with our brokenness and moves towards us to set us free from the power of sin and by faith we can trust.
Shame can try and stop us from acknowledging our sin and yet by bringing our sin into the light and into the presence of our loving and faithful God, we can be free because of Jesus. This week, the invitation is to allow this truth that Jesus has brought us freedom to dwell in our hearts and minds.