Innocent

Are you? Innocent?

Not me?

What is innocence? According to the Miriam Webster Online Dictionary the word Innocence can be defined as: “freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense”, “freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil” or “lack of worldly experience or sophistication”.

How often have you heard, perhaps even said or thought: I have lost my innocence!

It seems the world wants us to look at innocence as something:

lost,

        gone,

                   unattainable

                                        or perhaps

                                                           something to feel mildly sentimental about

AND YET

…yet when we turn our gaze to scripture we are confronted with Truth and it seems the world and perhaps some of us have it wrong.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“For the reality of the truth of Christ is seen among you and strengthened through your experience of him. So now you aren’t lacking any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the unveiling of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He will keep you steady and strong to the very end, making your character mature so that you will be found innocent on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is forever faithful and can be trusted to do this in you, for he has invited you to co-share the life of his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One, our King!”

False Beliefs you may be hanging on to

• If I only still had my innocence I would be able to love better…

• If only I did not lose my innocence when I were so young, I would not be as broken…

• Had this person (insert name of choice) not forced me into … I would still have been innocent

• If only I had never done…

Or maybe even

• ah, I am not thát innocent anymore…

• None of us are really innocent (anymore)

Truth to Chew on

Hidden away in God in Christ

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭17‬:‭15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“As for me, because I am innocent, I will see your face until I see you for who you really are. I will be satisfied in an awakening of your likeness in me!”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭30‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.”

In God’s Kingdom, INNOCENCE is not something we grow out of or further away from, but rather something we grow into as we behold Christ - the One who is able to do this in and through us. Our redemption does not just clean the slate, it grows us into the full stature of Christ, who is dwelling in us.

Three things to consider and meditate on as you become still and know that He is God

• He no longer looks at your sins

• You should not either see yourself in this way

• Can you trust the work of transformation to overflow into the way you view others?

God is faithful to do this in you!

Are they? Innocent?

Not them?

How innocent would you consider those around you? The close friends? Family members? Colleagues? Those you would rather not call friends?

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭21‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“If we are out of our minds in a blissful, divine ecstasy, it is for God, but if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. For it is Christ’s love that fuels our passion and holds us tightly, because we are convinced that he has given his life for all of us. This means all died with him, so that those who live should no longer live self-absorbed lives but lives that are poured out for him—the one who died for us and now lives again. So, from now on, we refuse to evaluate people merely by their outward appearances. For that’s how we once viewed the Anointed One, but no longer do we see him with limited human insight. Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. SBehold, everything is fresh and new. And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God. In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even keeping records of their transgressions, and he has entrusted to us the ministry of opening the door of reconciliation to God. We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.” For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭21‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.”

We no longer regard anyone according to the flesh. Perhaps here on earth we should consider it our purpose to remind each other of who we truly are in Christ and not of who we really were.

What to do with this awareness

Living in increasing innocence in and through Christ

Before reading the following two pasages concider putting on some form of instrumental worship music or ambient sounds or even some variation of white noise. Allow your heart and mind to be wholly focussed as your read, letting other thoughts slip by at the back of your mind. For a few minutes read and then re-read these scriptures. Read, pray and meditate on it until you sense a shift in your perception of yourself and those who are near as well as those who may still be far away from Christ. You may choose to focus on one single reality/relationship you are confronted with. Also perhaps re-read the five scriptures mentioned under Truth to chew on. Transformation is a process and it will be wise to engage with your whole being when you are trusting God to do this in you.

Choose to meditate on these scriptures today rather than focussing on your own or other people’s shortcomings. And when you do speak and act may every word and move be a reminder of who Christ is.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭21‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow believers as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times. Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s beloved people and respond by helping them. And eagerly welcome people as guests into your home. Speak blessing, not cursing, over those who reject and persecute you. Celebrate with those who celebrate, and weep with those who grieve. Live happily together in a spirit of harmony, and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set, thinking you are too important to serve others, but be willing to do menial tasks and identify with those who are humble minded. Don’t be smug or even think for a moment that you know it all. Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but plan your life around the noblest way to benefit others. Do your best to live as everybody’s friend. Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord. And: If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor. Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.”

Hidden in Him

katryn