Deliverance (2)

For the purpose of this series, we will define deliverance as being rescued or set free. With this definition, we can agree that we all have been delivered from sin and set free from condemnation. One of the main things that the devil uses to keep people in bondage is sin consciousness. As such, he tries to keep people bound by guilt, shame and condemnation. It is liberating to know that if we confess our sins, that God is faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). A part of satan’s deception is to convince people, that some sins are too big for God to forgive.

We have to remember that Christ Jesus was tempted in every way that we are tempted. As such, there is no temptation that we have experienced that is not common to everyone (1 Corinthians 10:13). Furthermore, absolutely nothing that we have ever done can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Let us take a look at bible characters who walked with God, yet committed grievous sins.

Moses murdered a man and then ran away to escape punishment (Exodus 2). Despite these failings, God used Moses to deliver his people from Egypt. God referred to Moses as the prophet who he communicated with face to face. David committed adultery, impregnated a man’s wife and then killed the man to cover up his sin (2 Samuel 11). God described David as ‘a man after his own heart,’ and promised that David’s seed would never be forgotten. It is not that God condoned the sins of these and other great men in the bible. Moses spent forty years in isolation in the wilderness as a consequence of his sin. David lost the son that he bore from that sinful relationship.

One thing that was noteworthy about David, was his willingness to repent, once he had been confronted. “David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). The book of Psalms also outlined extensive prayers of repentance from David. This is the crux of the matter. Start with acknowledging your sins and then repent and be set free. Once you repent, the devil has no legal grounds upon which to condemn you.

Confess your sins, repent of your sins and receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so already, you also need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and saviour so that he will live inside of you. Once you accept Jesus Christ, you will walk in freedom and you won’t be held in the bondage of sin. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

A.P.-Y.