AN INNER VOICE

I wanted to flee, but within my spirit, I heard Jesus’ voice, “Come to Me.”

“But I am ashamed.”

The rips on the porch screen door emphasized how torn I felt.

“That’s why you must come to Me.”

A breeze cooled my flushed face. Wondering if He realized just how much I’d missed the mark, I paced, rehearsing each of my failures, accenting the worst parts.

“Come to Me,” I heard again.

As if I could talk Jesus out of loving me, I talked some more. Finally, I went inside and found my Bible. “Have Your way in me, Lord. Renew me once again,” I said, weeping.

“Stay in My presence and rest a while. Don’t rush. I will hold you ‘till you’re whole. You need Me. Come to Me.” I felt a warmth, as my Bridegroom Jesus washed me in His love.

Why had I hesitated? I was glad to be back in My Savior’s arms of peace.

As we tarried, I explained my fear, “I have no confidence I can change my ways.”

As soon as I verbalized this, I realized I had placed my confidence in my abilities rather than in His.

“Lord Jesus, help Your Word take root in my heart, so Your character will reflect in my future actions.”

I knew He would see me through to victory.

A UNIVERSAL STRUGGLE

Bride of Christ, do you relate to my story? Sin is a universal struggle. So is self-will. Paul writes about this in Romans, penning both the problem and the solution.

THE PROBLEM

In the natural, we fall prey to sin.

Paul writes, “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15b NKJV).

THE SOLUTION

The solution is Holy-Spirit empowerment.

Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV).

How many times do we try to clean up our act before we come to Jesus? I know I’ve done this repeatedly, but Paul elucidates a different way, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV).

The truth is, we need to come to Him just as we are and trust Him to do the cleansing as we lean into divine love.

CHOOSE DAILY

Our Jesus time must be habitual if it’s going to be effective. To stave off problems, we must know His Word at a heart level. When we are saturated with His Word, having spent time in the throne room of prayer, our Bridegroom becomes Lord as well as Savior.

This choice must be deliberate. Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 NKJV).

In Song of Solomon, we say, “Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at noon” (Song 1:7a NKJV). We search for His presence, instruction, and peace. What is our Bridegroom’s response? He is delighted, eager to fill us.

When we pasture ourselves in Christ’s love, we more easily turn aside from the distractions of this life because we have an upward focus—Jesus.

JESUS PAID SIN’S PRICE

Bride of Christ, if you’ve sinned, know there is always hope. Your Bridegroom nailed every one of your sins to Calvary’s cross. Jesus forgave every sin—past, present, and future. He loved us enough to place His life in the judgment scales to redeem us. He is waiting for us to ask for forgiveness, and when we do, we draw from this promise.

COME TO THE FATHER

Today, invite your Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, to receive you just as you are. Then, lean into His love, and let the transformation process begin. He will soften your heart with His love.

Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

Hear Beloved’s call, “Come to Me.”

Let newness overtake you. Rest in your capable Bridegroom’s ability to direct your path. The godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—will meet you as you lean in.

 

Will you respond to His call?

Beloved Jesus, I yield to You—withholding nothing. Have your way as I come to You.

Your Bowing Bride,

Love

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: Come to Me: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved