CAGING THE LION

I have a theory as to why some people claim to be Christian but do not attend church. It stems from observing my stepdad and others, like him, who have committed big sins in the past. It's pretty simple, really. I don't believe he has forgiven himself. I don't believe he sees himself as loveable, forgivable, or worthy of the love of Christ. 

There is some part of us as sinners that wants to hold onto the pain of the past and refuse to let it go. We don't like to admit we've messed up. The punishment for the crimes committed can be so painful that we don't want to chance any more pain. Does that sound like someone you know?

I know a lot of people who behave this way, including myself from time to time. When this happens, it means we have yet to recognize the strength that comes from believing in and having a full relationship with Jesus. Folks who habitually behave this way are bound to the past, and Satan's henchmen are keeping them there. 

Christians walking with the Lord, need to pray for all to be released from the bonds of the past so that we may embrace our future with the Lord. Otherwise, we're going to face judgment someday and the Lord will say "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:23 ESV)

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

-1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) 

Healing isn't done on our own. I've said that time and time again. The kind of healing that can be accomplished in the secular world isn't complete. There isn't a full regeneration of the spirit. Often, the secular world will advise victims to seek retribution. Christ doesn't ask that of us, because He knows it causes us more pain to do so. Instead, He asks us simply to trust Him and to walk with Him.

"Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19 GNT) I assume that this also means we are not to continue punishing ourselves for our sins of the past as well. In fact, I am sure of it. 

Jesus forgives all of our sins. That's what He was doing up on the cross at Calvary over 2,000 years ago. There is no special formula. Not everyone who has been saved needed an altar call or a special "sinners prayer" to be saved. Do you remember the story in Luke of the two thieves on the crosses next to Jesus? It's found in Luke 23:39-43. In verse 42, only one of the thieves is saved. Here is what was said  And the thief was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”  And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 

Everyone in the crowd saw the man's nakedness, but only Jesus saw his entire soul at that moment and renewed it. The other thief never made it to Heaven, yet he had all the same opportunities as the one who did. 

I'm not a Pastor. I'm not a professional theologian or an apologist. I'm simply a woman who loves Jesus, studies His Word, and observes human behavior in my everyday life. I find it utterly fascinating that so many abuse survivors go on to embrace Jesus and find amazing healing in their relationship with Him, while so many abusers suffer unto their dying day. It doesn't have to be that way. 

I've also seen the opposite be true, where the abuser becomes saved and the victim never becomes a true survivor, finding healing. That's also very sad and unnecessary. Jesus is for all of us. So many people can quote John 3:16, but how many know what comes after that? How many people believe it with their whole hearts? I do. It's why I pray for my abusers. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. -John 3:17-21 (NIV)

Did you notice I made part of that bold and underlined it? I believe that part applies to folks who will not come into the light for fear that their sins are too big and will be exposed again and they will again suffer the consequences of them. When in fact, they're suffering now because they refuse to step into the light. 

Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Embrace it. Embrace Jesus. 

"The Gospel is like a caged lion. You don't have to defend it.
Just let it out of the cage." - Charles Spurgeon

Stay tuned for another episode. I aim to crank out the blog posts three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.