Take off the grave clothes

Most of us are probably familiar with the Biblical account of Lazarus, Jesus' close friend who died and was brought back to life four days later. We read about it in the 11th chapter of John's gospel, but if we're not careful, we can get so caught up in the enormity of the event that we overlook an occurrence at the end of the story which has great significance for us today.

John 11:44 states that right after raising Lazarus, Jesus instructs those gathered there to "take off the grave clothes and let him go." A seemingly simple command, right? But imagine if Lazarus had come back to life only to spend the rest of his days still bound in his burial shroud, never truly free of the tomb -- or the death -- from which he'd been delivered. Why, he might as well have stayed dead!

Now, I'm being facetious, of course, but the point I wish to make is not humorous in the least. You see, "grave clothes" come in a lot of different forms -- from faults and failures to sin and regret -- and tragically, they are the daily apparel of far too many Christians. These are men, women and young people who have encountered the victory of God's grace and forgiveness, yet continue to struggle with a sense of defeat and helplessness over previous transgressions and shortcomings. Although they have been given new life, they remain bound by that which links them to their former existence. And, just as Jesus enlisted the aid of Lazarus' friends and loved ones to relieve him of his bindings, even so, he continues to rely upon his people as a means for sharing the full freedom of His forgiveness with others.

So, let me conclude with some Biblical promises that can help us remove those "grave clothes" once and for all.

First John 1:9 states: "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Psalm 103:12 informs us that: "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Isaiah 43:25 contains God's personal assurance: "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."

Now, if the One we've offended has forgiven us and has chosen not to remember our offenses, then we shouldn't dwell on them either. Friends, it's time to kick off the bindings of our past and start celebrating the future we've been given through Jesus.

After all, as the Apostle Paul observed in II Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."

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Editor's note: Warren E. Foxworthy II is pastor of the Pea Ridge Nazarene Church. The views expressed are those of the writer.

Religion on 02/15/2017