I've finally realized, OK, slow awakening, that I will continue to make wrong moves and poor choices in this life. It's part of being human. Doing and being both good and bad. God knows all this.
Now, I think denying myself has more to do with giving up self-idolotry, worship of self. Thinking I can be perfect. It's giving up the maniac urge to be in absolute control of my life, trusting only myself for knowing what is best for me.
When I give up this worship of self, and then worship my Loving Creator instead, I am free to be who He intended me to be. I break free from the bondage of self and evil, when I happily follow, take up the cross-centered life and run to Jesus. Embracing His love, forgiveness, acceptance, grace. I grow in goodness within my relationship with Jesus, but even that is dependent on God's grace, power and Spirit working in and through me.
Jesus did the measuring up, perfection for me. Took my punishment for the bad in me. He exchanged His life for mine. And rose from the dead in the end to secure an eternal place in heaven for me. Can you imagine a love like that? No more cowering in the corner of regret and shame. Complete acceptance. Amazing grace.
I want to think about this quote as I draw and worship God: "I love the fact that the Bible records that the Father loves the Son and is pleased with him before he does anything public. That’s the opposite of religion... Religion basically says, “Work really hard. Try your best. And at the end of your life, maybe God will say ‘I now adopt you. I will now love you. I’m pleased with your life.’” Our God is a God of grace. He reveals himself as a Father. And our relationship with him begins with love and approval and affection." - Pastor Mark Driscoll
I'll start a sketch with the concepts of the cross and breaking free.
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