Identity: Becoming The True Youনমুনা

Innocent [Illustrations included in this devotional are not visible in this view. Illustrations are only supported in the Bible App for iOS, Android, and at Bible.com] When people ask me about my past, I jokingly tell them, “I was raised by cats.” The thought may be pretty comical on the surface, but there is sadness, shame, and grief underneath. You see, I say I was raised by cats because as a child I was grounded to my room, pretty much from the time I was 12 until about a month before my parents dropped me off at college. My three cats were the only living creatures that would visit, comfort, and entertain me. To my parents, I could do nothing right. I was constantly blamed and guilty of some offense. "You are wrong. Get away from me," was the overarching theme of my childhood, despite my deep desire to please my parents and make them proud. Naturally, I brought this picture into my adult life and faith story. I compared God to the image of a shrewd parent peering down his nose, ready to cast judgment and then cast me aside because I could do nothing right. I constantly feared not being good enough. I was afraid that God would separate himself from me just like my parents did. I thought he would leave me to fend for myself because I was corrupt, sinful, and guilty, and therefore I deserved to suffer alone. In actuality, those things could not be further from His true nature. Colossians 1:21-23 shows that, yes, our sins once alienated us from him, but Jesus, in his love and obedience to God, secured our right to be spotless, blameless, and innocent, never again to experience a guilty verdict or separation from his loving presence. All our sins have been removed. Forgiveness of that sin means, “as if I never messed up–restored back to innocence.” Confess this today, “I don’t need to walk in fear of punishment because I am innocent.” Father, I thank you for coming to me in my anguish and sin. I thank you for calling me innocent, spotless, and blameless. I thank you for cherishing me in my weakness. Thank you, Jesus, for teaching me to obey God and be one with him. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the power that raised Jesus from the dead, securing my innocence and unity for all time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.