Back in 2003, Dr. Charles Swindoll published another of many books, this one titled The Grace Awakening. I read the book not long after it had come out, and I learned more about living in grace, as opposed to the law, than I had learned before. I had come far in conceptual understanding of grace, but still had trouble applying it my life...not to mention applying it to other people.
Dr. Swindoll serves as pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX, and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. He also heads a radio ministry--Insight for Living--and is a prolific author. I sometimes hear him on the radio and always enjoy his ability to apply biblical truths to our everyday life. I've read a few of his books and subscribe (free) to his IFL daily devotional.
Which brings me to this post. Today's devotional seems to be the last in a series taken from The Grace Awakening, and addresses the fact that far too many Christ-followers live in the bondage of sin(s) that were forgiven, often long ago. I spent many years like that and could fall back into bondage at any time; all I need to do is focus on old sin, rather than on the One who loves me more than life itself--and proved it on the Cross.
This post is not really a book review. But I do highly recommend The Grace Awakening. I'm not the only person I've known who has spent years living a non-joyous life, repeatedly beaten down by the guilt of sin(s) for which I know I've been forgiven. The key that unlocked those chains for me is in the letter to the Hebrews:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (12:1-2 NIV)
Fixing my eyes on Jesus works for both avoiding sin and avoiding the unnecessary shame and guilt of sins forgiven.* I wish I'd understood these things, oh, even 30 years ago!
*Disclaimer: This does not mean that I always focus my "spiritual eyes" and mind on Jesus as soon as I should, but that I am growing. I'm remembering more often.
