Sweet Fellowship

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

—1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

Years ago you asked me into your heart, and you received my love. You walked with me. We talked. We laughed. We enjoyed times of sweet fellowship. Then something happened. A lie grew in your mind, and you chose to believe that you were unworthy of my love. You believed that lie and gave it power. You were obsessed. Night and day your thoughts were claimed by its deceit. You retreated from my love and presence. The enemy had you right where he wanted you—in fear of punishment from me. 

You ache so much to feel my presence again. I hurt for you, child, but I can’t make you believe in my love for you. I have never left you. You hide because of guilt, shame, and fear. There is no punishment. You can’t hide from my love, and there is no reason to hide! I never see you as you see yourself. You see yourself as the sinful person you were before I saved you. I see you as the new creation I gave my life to save. I see you clean, whole, pure, blameless. I remember no sin. I see no sin. I became your sin so you might have my righteousness.

There was nothing you had to do when I came into your heart years ago. My love was free. You just received me. The trouble you have now is that you don’t believe I love you anymore. You think I stopped loving you. You don't believe who I say you are. Now listen. You are debt-free. You have nothing to pay—nothing to prove—nothing to do. I did everything that was necessary for your freedom from condemnation on Calvary. Please stop trying to earn my love. It wears you out. Just believe who I say you are. My righteousness—my forgiveness! My Grace, which flowed when I died, is now wholly yours. Rebuke the condemnation of your old consciousness that moment by moment reminds you that you live in a perpetual state of sin. Oh, child, choose to believe in the guilt-free life I died to give you! I don’t judge you. I only see you through my finished work on the cross. My Grace covers you! There is no sin to condemn. You are loved. You are free. You are mine. 

I stand right here knocking on the door to your mind—waiting for you to open it—waiting for you to believe me. I will never force you to believe. You have always had the free will to choose. The moment you decide to believe you are loved and guilt-free, is the moment you began your journey back to my joy and sweet fellowship with me.

© 2019 Lynn Lacher

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