The Weight of My Sin

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

As I have been praying, asking God to continue to refine me into His image, this week I asked God to show me the full weight of my sin.  Without any pause or hesitation, He gently spoke to my heart, telling me that I could not bear it.  I couldn't bear the weight of my own sin.

I know this is true.  

Isaiah 53:6 tells us, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

And, 2 Corinthians 5:21 confirms this by saying, "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

None of us ever could bear the weight of our own sin.  Yet, Jesus bore the weight of ALL SIN.  It is hard to imagine.  It's hard to imagine what ALL SIN looks like, especially when I can't even bear to be shown my own.

Have you ever thought about that? 

It is a good thing to ponder, though we cannot fully take it in.  I have begun to ponder it more, and it is overwhelming.  All that He has done calls into focus our own sin and selfishness, and we cannot escape it.  But even greater, it calls into focus all the good that Christ has done for me, for you.  That's where the focus should always be . . . on Him.  After the Lord laid on Jesus the sins of us all at the cross, there was the resurrection!  When we really die to our own desires and way of thinking, we truly live with Him, in Him, and He in us!

Micah 7:19 says, "You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

And, Romans 8:1 confirms this when it tells us, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."

These promises serve to propel us on to do the work of the Master every moment of every day.  And, when we consider the weight of all that Christ has done, how could we ever deliberate—even for a moment—in answering His call?

“And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:17

Goodnight, Runners.