The Fall Gave Our Flesh a Priority—Self.
Day 2—How to stop running from God after you fail
In Day 1 of How to Stop Running From God After You Fail, we exposed the foundation of Romans 8:1 and made pivotal observations.
The question is not, do I feel condemned?
The question is, did Jesus finish the payment?
Today, let’s look at the central figure of Romans 8:1.
Jesus.
Today, I was reminded of three stories among thousands.
“Go, sell all you have, and follow me…”
Jesus said this to the rich young ruler, and it shows us what life with Him looks like.
Not that every believer must sell everything.
But that Jesus will always put His finger on what owns you.
He loves us too much to leave idols untouched.
Life with Jesus is a life where “never enough” gets exposed.
Where greed and pride are confronted.
Not to shame you, but to free you.
In Mark 10, the disciples tried to keep the children away.
Jesus was indignant and said, “Let the children come to me.”
Then He says the kingdom is received like a child.
Life with Jesus is pursued like a child.
Curious.
Hungry.
Open-handed.
Not posturing.
Not performing.
Not pretending you have it all together.
Then a blind man named Bartimaeus cries out twice, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
He calls Him Rabbi and asks to see again.
Life with Jesus is a life of vision.
Seeing for the first time.
He opens the eyes of the heart.
He gives a new heart when ours is hard. Ezekiel 36:26.
He turns stone into flesh.
He changes us from the inside out, day by day.
Your safety is not in your performance.
Your identity is in your position.
In Christ.
Romans 8:1 is not a mood or an excuse to sin.
It is a verdict.
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Two heads. Two families.
In Adam, there is condemnation.
In Christ, there is righteousness and life. Romans 5:18–19.
And how do you get into Christ?
Not by cleaning yourself up.
Not by promising God you will never fail again.
By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Right before Mark highlights the lowly, children and a blind man, seeing Jesus clearly, the disciples are still arguing about who will be the greatest.
The fall gave our flesh a priority.
Self.
But Jesus, God in the flesh, redeems our self-centeredness and offers Himself.
He turns self-centeredness into Jesus-centeredness.
Consequently, death into life.
Insignificance into significance.
Blindness into sight.
Never Finished Challenge
When you fail, do not hide.
Confess fast. 1 John 1:9.
Run to God, not from Him.
Agree with God about your sin, and agree with God about your Savior.
What Does Today Say About God?
Life.
Have you been experiencing sadness, death, hurt, or pain?
There is one place I will encourage you to go.
Go to Jesus.
Not later.
Not after you feel better.
Not after you prove yourself.
Go now.
In Him, you have life.
Life to the full. John 10:10.
What a Father.
What a King.
What a Friend.
Thank you, Jesus.