Jesus said, “I am the Way.” The way to God. The way to a good life. The divine template. The incarnation of love. The mirror image of YOU when you connect with God.
The gospel truth should build you up, not tear you down. Knowing God through Jesus connects you with your true identity and your highest joy because you are created in God’s image.
Everyone expects love. That’s because we are designed for it. It’s like expecting to breathe. You expect this even on your worst day. That’s the way of love, too. It’s a given, like breathing.
You deserve to be loved, just for being alive. You didn’t ask to be here. Your life is a gift.
Someone said, “But love is by grace, and grace is unmerited favor. I cannot earn love.” Don’t worry, you didn’t. There is not a day in your life that God has loved you any less or any more. You don’t deserve love because you earned it. You deserve it because God created you…in His image. Did I say that already? Listen louder.
What makes us sink into negativity and despair? Often, it’s those rascally joy thieves, shame and fear. Sneaky culprits, those two. Most of the time you don’t know they are there, even as you obey their dark commands.
I’m preaching a series called THE WAY OF LOVE: Shameless Faith, Fearless Faith. This series will explore the way shame and fear prevent the flow of love in your life, how you can recognize it, and what you can do about it. You will be empowered by God’s Word.
We begin with seeing how shameless faith opens the door of your heart. It means you have nothing to be ashamed of, so you can let love in and pour love out.
Your mind may go to things for which you have been forgiven. Healthy shame, or guilt, is necessary. Repent, don’t repeat, let it go.
But I’m talking about unhealthy shame. It’s usually cast on you by others who have also been shamed. It thrives on competitiveness, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, ungrieved losses, feelings of failure, cultural stigmas…Satan’s little tool bag.
Forgiveness is the remedy for healthy shame.
Freedom is the remedy for unhealthy shame (aka lies about you that you internalized).
Jesus is calling you to freedom. (John 8:36)
May you remember how perfectly loved you are today.
Pastor Kim