Breaking the Burden of Being BetterNäide

Claiming Our Wretched Wrongs

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Paul understood that recognizing his wretchedness wasn’t about shame but dependence on Jesus. The church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17) thought they had everything, yet Jesus called them wretched because they relied on their strength rather than Him. Jesus called them poor, blind and naked – yet they were known for their wealth, eye cream and wool. Ironic, isn't it? Self-sufficiency is wretched in the eyes of God.

Self-sufficiency is a form of slavery. It keeps us striving under the burden of performance instead of resting in the freedom Christ gives.

The good news is that wretchedness is NOT an identity but a need for a Savior. Just like being sick is not an identity but a need for a doctor or dyslexia is a need for a good editor. Wretchedness is not someone to fear but claim as a posture of surrender to our need for Jesus. The truth sets us free. We don't have to strive to be better to be accepted. We are already accepted, and this truth brings us freedom, automatically inspiring a better way of living.

· When we accept that we simply cannot do it in our strength

· When we accept that we cannot save ourselves

· When we accept that we cannot perform our value

· When we accept that we all fall short

· When we accept our wretchedness is NOT an identity BUT a need for a Savior

· Then we can accept that it was for FREEDOM that Jesus set us FREE

Have you been trying to earn God’s approval? Let today be a day of surrender.

Prayer

Father, I confess that I cannot save myself. Thank You for Your grace. Help me to depend fully on Jesus and not on my own efforts. Amen.