You Are....

When you feel covered with shame, it’s important for you to remember four things about your relationship with God:

1. You are created by God. The Bible says that when God created man, he created him in his own image, Genesis 1:27, 31. The psalmist says that God knit you together in your mother’s womb, Psalm 139:13. Paul announces that you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Ephesians 2:10. You are not a mistake. God created you as perfect and for a purpose. Of course, we are all damaged because of the impact of sin. But sin doesn’t make you any less valuable to God or in God’s eyes. Your value is never defined or determined by your performance.

2. You are loved by God. The Bible says…God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…John 3:16. God’s love for you is not a conditional love. God doesn’t say, I will love you if, or I will love you provided that. He just chooses to love you, to always do what is in your best interests. His love is never fickle or wavering, because His love is not contingent on reciprocity. He simply loves you.

3. You are accepted by God. Jesus was close to his disciples. He said to the 12, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). You may think that God is austere and unapproachable. But God in the face of Jesus Christ reminds us that we are called to a very personal, intimate relationship with Him! God does not hold you at arm’s length. He wants you to come to him as you would a good friend, because that’s what He wants to be to you. He is a faithful and loyal friend, and will always be there for you, even when you fail Him.

4. You are forgiven by God. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12. The great achievement of the cross is when you put your faith in Christ, you are set right with God. Christ paid the debt you couldn’t pay. He made it possible for you to be reconciled to God.

To avoid crippling shame, you must claim these realities in your life. Continue to confess your sins to God and He promises to cleanse you from sin (1 John 1:7). Allow God’s love and grace to wash over your soul, and you will find freedom in Christ!