"But notwithstanding this rightful knitting and this endless oneing, yet the redemption and the again-buying of mankind is needful and speedful in everything.."
Julian of Norwich (ch. 53)
We were created in God's image and thus created as "very good." Our inner substance or spirit is kept one with God and pure in motivation and will. This is our true identity as God's created children. Yet our minds were led astray by lies about God's identity and our own identity. We began believing lies such as "I am separated from God," "I am not good enough for God," "I am lacking in some way," "God doesn't love or accept me," "God is judging me and displeased with me," "God is angry with me or will punish me," "I must do something to get to God and get His favor." Because of these lies, we fell into the trap of sin and death. Sin and death are present in this world and pull things down into corruption. People's minds have become darkened and it makes relating to God so difficult. He is right here, yet we can feel He is a million miles away and we are all on our own. We needed to be freed or redeemed from the lies and traps of sin and death, so we could know and live out our good identity, so we could know and relate to God without fear. He dismantles the lies we've believed with His truth, telling us wonderful messages like: "I do not judge anyone," "I did not come to condemn but to save," Your Father is compassionate," "The Father Himself loves you," "I am with you always," "I am in you and you are in Me." Christ brings us back to knowing ourselves and knowing God in a love relationship. He clears away the darkness in our minds with the light of His presence and grace. He casts away our fears with His love. He frees our hearts from the traps of sin. He frees our bodies from the trap of corruption and death. He rescues and releases the good inner self that had gotten covered over with lies, confusion, and darkened thoughts and beliefs. He does all this by taking us with Him through death to all that was hurting us and into resurrection to all that will help us and bring us to thrive. Joined with His resurrection life, we are also in life, and we can never be trapped in lies, sin and death again! Our redemption is needful and speedful, necessary and good. How wonderful to be redeemed and set free to really live as we were always meant to live, according to our God-given good nature, out of our inner oneness with the God who loves us, filled with His Spirit and thriving in His Life!
He gave himself for us; he died to free us from all evil. He died to make us pure people who belong only to him—people who are always wanting to do good things.
Titus 2:14 (ICB)
A Prayer: You freed me from the lies and sin that trapped me. I can live as I was always meant to, a life of real relationship with You, a life of love.