RIGHT HERE WITH YOU

*As you have done before, please listen to the song first, and then continue on with the last freedom lesson.

Let the words of this song sink in. How do they make you feel? Even if it does not seem like it, you can be at this place. You have not failed or fallen so deeply into sin that Jesus cannot rescue you, clean you up, and bring you back to Him. The reality is this: YOU WERE GOING TO SIN! Romans 3:23 says, "For we have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God..." Jesus did not die on the cross for those who might sin or just in case someone would sin. But He died and rose from the dead and still lives today because He already knew that you and all of us were going to be entangled by sin. I am not saying that you have an excuse to keep on sinning. Romans 6:1-2 makes this clear: "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" Do not give into the lie or trap that makes you want to believe that it is completely over for you. You still have the grand opportunity of a relationship with the Lover of your soul, Jesus Christ. It is true that He may not be happy with your choices or the state that you are in. But He is willing to graciously push past this, and He will continue to love you deeply and fully no matter what you have done. He just wants you to come to Him. He wants to be right here with you.

Image by Christin Ditchfield

Instead of questions for this final lesson, I want you the read this excerpt below that is based on the biblical prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer. Gomer was very unfaithful to Hosea, but that did not keep Hosea from remaining faithful and loving his wife. Each time you see the name Gomer, please put your name there. Think of the words as if Jesus is speaking directly to you.

Gomer, don't be afraid, I am here. Don't let shame keep you from turning to me. I don't see what you've done; I see who you are--my beloved bride.

Even when you're stained and tattered, you have my heart.

Though I feel hurt and angry, I will never leave you. I will always be yours even when you don't want to be mine.

You may see my anger and disappointment, but my anger is born of love--deep, relentless love for you. I don't love you because of anything you have done. You cannot merit my love and you can't forfeit it either.

My beloved, my affection toward you is stronger than the chains you once wore. I willingly bore your shame when I redeemed you and you now bear my name. How can I give you up?

You were the bride I chose and you will always be the bride I love. When I loved you, your loveliness rose in you like the sun. You blossomed and became the beautiful bride I knew you always were. The wilderness was no place for you. Let the water of my words refresh and bring you back to life.

I see your secrets. I know your fears. Nothing you have done is hidden from me; I have felt each choice as a dagger in my heart. If I did not love you so, you could not hurt me so. But the sorrow I feel from your rejection is never so great to make me forget you. Your sin is ever before me, but so is your suffering, your fragility, and your naivete.

Come home, my beloved. You are the bride. You were clothed with a radiant gown of purity and it still fits you. Let me help you remove the ragged garment of your rebellion. It does not bring out your beauty.

You rejected my provision and went to other lovers to get your needs met. You rejected the position of honor I placed you in and went to other places and people to find your prominence. You haven't behaved like the beloved bride I chose, but you still are my beloved bride.

Do you only want love you can earn? Do you only desire worth that you feel you deserve? Maybe you only think you are significant if you have achieved your own importance.

Gomer, you are worthy and significant. I love and accept you and when you embrace that truth, you will find the completeness you long for.

You have been trying to become who you already were. You have been striving for what you already possess. You have been seeking what was already yours. Return with me...return to me. Reclaim what is yours in me. I have pulled you toward me with cords of love, not chains of condemnation. I don't want you to wear the yoke of slavery when you should be clothed in the garment of a beloved bride.

You are worth the cost of this redemption to me. I will always see you as beautiful for you are mine. I will always think of you as lovable because I love you.

Cease striving to find your place, my precious Gomer; you are already found in me.

*(passage from the study book Hosea: Unfailing Love Changes Everything by Jennifer Rothschild, pp. 152-153)

If you are interested in reading this study book, you can purchase it directly from Jennifer Rothschild's website. If you click on the picture of the book cover, it will take you to the webpage to make a purchase.

The first person to send me a message can receive a free copy of this bible study from me!

Guess what? You made it to the end the Freedom Series!! Dance as if no one is watching, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!!! I want to thank you for spending your Mondays with me and for tackling the tough topic of sin. Let me know what you thought about the series, and please be as honest as you would like. And don't forget to post something encouraging for the other readers. We are all in this together. Now you can sit back and relax, and pour yourself a cold glass of lemonade :-D

Image by Kiki Nyagah