Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. Heb. 12:1
I am reminded of the “Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens; Jacob Marley visited Scrooge, weighed down with shackles, chains and all sorts of weights. He was heavily burdened by the things he had done in life. He warned Scrooge that Scrooge’s chains were much larger than those that he carried.
Much like Marley we have constructed many shackles and chains through our sins. The debt we have made is great and we are unable to pay. However, we as Christians know that we have a savior who has paid for our sins, and offers us a great salvation: an eternal annulling of our sin, guilt and shame.
So if we have accepted this great salvation that is found in Jesus Christ, if God has forgiven us and cleansed us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), then why is it we continue to burden our selves with the weight of the sin? The sin no longer belongs to us. Jesus paid for your sins, guilt, shame, etc. when he took the punishment for them on the cross. If someone pays for something, who does it belong to? Oh yes, the purchaser. So you do not rightfully own the weight you are carrying, so cast it upon Jesus (1 Peter 5:7); He has already paid the price for it.
I ask that today you would dig deep and identify whatever weight it is that is burdening you and holding you back. Maybe there are few, maybe there are many. Once you have identified them, write them down and get them out in the open. You do not have to share with anyone if you do not want, but it may help. Then take that paper or scribble and bow down in prayer before God. Give all those burdens to God; ask Him to help you let them all go. He does not want you to carry them any longer; He saved you to liberty in Him! Stop trying to pay for the sins that no longer belong to you.
