Came to Save

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. – (John 3:17, NIV) 

God sent His Son into the world. He did not send Him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him. – (John 3:17, ERV) 

God did not send His Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it! – (John 3:17, TPT) 

I am so thankful that Jesus came to save, rather than to condemn. Though our sins warrant condemnation, His mercy and grace extend love and offer new life instead. In the same way that we have been given forgiveness and grace, we are meant to go forth and do likewise. We have been rescued from the darkness we were bound in, and as God’s own, we are meant to be bearers of light who shine His love everywhere we go. Our lives ought to demonstrate what it is to walk in redemption – full of gratitude and grace, as we recognize that there is nothing, we could ever do to repay the goodness we have been shown through Christ’s love. This revelation of God’s goodness compels us to navigate each day in the fullness of His love. May we go forth in God’s love and love others in the same way that we are loved by God. 

God sent His own Son, 

But not to condemn; 

Instead to set free, 

Grace that overwhelms. 

Though judgment’s deserved, 

He gives us His grace; 

Forgiven and free, 

As we seek His face. 

May we, in freedom, 

Go forth, do the same; 

Love as we are loved, 

Honor Jesus’ Name. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, not to condemn us, but to save us. Thank You Jesus, for showing us what sacrificial love is. Thank You for loving us to life, so that we might go forth and love others. Forgive us for the places that we judge or condemn rather than seek to love. Teach us to trust You more, for You provide wisdom, strength and grace to know when to stay and when to walk away from situations where we should or should not remain. Show us how to love those around us best, so that Your heart may be made known clearly through love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your overwhelming sacrifice to save us. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

To Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. – Psalm 136:4

The Benefit of Belonging

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. – (Romans 8:1-2, NLT)

Therefore, now no condemnation awaits those who are living in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King, because when you live in the Anointed One, Jesus, a new law takes effect. The law of the Spirit of life breathes into you and liberates you from the law of sin and death. – (Romans 8:1-2, VOICE)

 

When we come into relationship with Christ, we are no longer condemned for our sins. His Spirit grants us life, and frees us from the power that sin had held on our hearts before we knew Him. With Christ, it is not about trying to obey the letter of the law, but rather it is the joy in coming to know His love, grace and forgiveness. As we know Him more, we cannot help but be compelled to honor Him in word, thought and deed. It does not mean that we will be perfect, but we grow in our knowledge of where to turn for forgiveness, grace, strength and help to continue in the direction to which we are called. May we let go of the law that leads to death, and embrace the One who grants us life in Him.

 

Condemnation comes,

When we go alone;

Try being, doing,

Enough on our own.

For there’s no enough,

Compared to God’s grace;

That’s why it’s a gift,

We’re meant to embrace.

When we choose receive,

All that the Lord gives;

His power frees us,

So in Him, we live.

New life He breathes in,

So we are set free;

To live and to love,

For eternity.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that there is no condemnation when we belong to You. Thank You that Your Spirit in us gives us life, and has freed us from the power of sin that leads to death. Forgive us for attempting to do enough or be enough, rather than seek You and invest our hearts and minds in things of You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may embrace the power that You grant us by Your Spirit within us to overcome the power of sin that leads to death. Show us how to live and love in that liberated space, so that others too, may come to know the freedom that is found in You alone. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust Your Spirit within us to lead us and guide us in the ways in which we are meant to go. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Be Transformed

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – (Romans 12:2, NIV)

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. – (Romans 12:2, ERV)

If we spend our time seeking what is in the world, we will become like that which we seek. We are called to seek the Lord to transform and renew us, so that our hearts and minds will become more like His. As we choose to pursue Christ, we learn what is good and pleasing to Him, and discover His perfect will for our lives. The more we choose Christ, the greater He opens our understanding to that which He wants for us. May we keep our hearts from conforming to the patterns of the world, and whole heartedly pursue the path which God has prepared for us as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Don’t be led astray,

by things of the earth;

for God will transform,

grant us a new birth.

He renews our minds,

and shows us His way;

what is good to Him,

to not go astray.

His way is perfect,

and He wants for us;

to know His nearness,

by His love we’re blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we seek You, You help keep us from conforming to the patterns of this world, as You transform us by the renewing of our minds. Thank You that You show us that which is Your good, pleasing and perfect will, as we choose to ask. Forgive us for not seeking or asking, or for allowing our hearts to get caught up in that which surrounds us, rather than You who is in us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You completely in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others in such a way that we could reach those stuck in the destructive patterns of the world without causing any feelings of condemnation or judgment – only Your love. May many come to know the truth of Your unfailing love. Be glorified O God, as we allow You to transform us by the renewing of our minds as we seek and trust You completely. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

There is Freedom

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – (2 Corinthians 3:17) God, in His unfailing love for us, provides freedom from sin and condemnation. As we choose to trust Christ for our salvation, He takes away the burden of needing to try to please Him, and removes our guilt and shame for our failure to do just that. To trust in Christ, is to know His love, acceptance, forgiveness, and the freedom to live for Him. His Spirit in us, shows us how to live in the fullness of our freedom in Christ.

 

This can be a challenging concept to grasp, especially when the world around us has a certain set of performance expectations. The charge to perform and be “enough” seems to surround us from every angle. When all of the externals are screaming “do more” and “be more“, we have to listen to the still small voice, as He whispers, “You are enough.” He has created each one of us with the capacity to do what He is asking in His strength, and the ability to hear His voice of truth. We must slow down and truly listen, or the freedom we have in Christ, becomes a facade.

 

The Lord is Spirit,

the Spirit of truth;

our place of freedom,

He shows what to do.

He frees us from sin,

condemnation’s shame;

He forgives failure,

wipes away all blame.

To trust in the Lord,

is to know His love;

acceptance always,

from our God above.

His Spirit in us,

grants us strength enough;

His capacity,

to endure the tough.

When the world wants more,

Christ is satisfied;

in Him, we’re enough,

that is why He died.

It did not end there,

for He rose again;

so we too, might rise,

find freedom in Him.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are Spirit and You are truth. Thank You that Your Spirit is present in all who believe, and grants freedom from all that would attempt to keep our heart away from You. Thank You that You paid the price, once and for all, for our guilt and failures, and made the way for us to have life and freedom forever in You. Forgive us for allowing the demands of the world to overwhelm us, or for becoming so busy that we do not slow down in stillness to truly listen to You. Teach us how to manage our moments and make our moments count. May we love You and love others as You love us, and may many come to know the freedom found through a lasting relationship with You. Let our lives lived in Your freedom, be an ongoing act of worship unto You. Be glorified in all that we say and do, Lord. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

 

No Condemnation in Christ

Condemnation is to judge and deem one guilty. To feel condemned, whether guilty or not, is a bit unbearable. Once, when I was likely in late elementary school, my mom, sister and I, had stopped at a grocery store in a not-so-nice neighborhood. I was carrying a small purse, and for some reason, my sister and I had wandered to a separate aisle from my mom. Gum and lip gloss were the only elements to grace my petite purse, and Megan asked me for some gum. Without regard for our location, I opened my purse and pulled out a stick of gum for her. Before I could zip my little bag closed again, a store worker came up to me with a very angry look on his face, and accused me of stealing from his store. Either my look of sheer horror at his suggestion, or my offer for him to search my immediately outstretched belongings, either way, suddenly his judgment was repealed and he turned and walked away; leaving two girls who had not even entertained such a thought, shaking in their shoes.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – (Romans 8:1)

Though I was not guilty then, and was accused, every day of my existence I fall short and am deserving of His judgment. However, because Christ lives in me, I am seen through His covering, and called clean; not guilty, and set free from the death that I deserve. I cannot even begin to fathom what it would be like to face our final day on our own. Without Christ, the penalty is death. In Christ, we have eternal hope, and the promise of His presence, always.

In Christ we’ll stand,

for we are free;

He paid the price,

we’ve been redeemed.

No more condemned,

the verdict’s clear;

death is no more,

in Christ a fear.

For He is ours,

and we are His;

covered children,

His righteousness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You, we are deemed NOT GUILTY, as You took all of our guilt upon Yourself and already paid the price. Thank You that in You, we are freed from sin and death, and have the power of Your Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Forgive us for submitting to sin, and help us to be more than conquerors in You. Teach us how to trust in Your power living in us, to help us overcome any temptation that comes our way. Help us to live out lives of love that give grace that guides many unto You. Let those who are looking, find eternal hope in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.