Meditate on the Word - For a Decent and Investigative Christianity (EN)

 Freedom in Christ means more than just being free from sin; it also means being free from the Law and even from our own self-centered desires. Yet, to experience this freedom fully, we need to recognize the "rival loves" that vie for the space only Christ should occupy in our hearts. These rival loves include desires, passions, and distractions that compete for our attention and shift our focus away from putting Christ above all. Identifying these forces in our lives is essential if we are to live as Christ intends—free and fully devoted to Him. Jesus calls each of us into a relationship that is not only deep but also exclusive. Just as He loved us sacrificially and freed us completely, He desires that we respond by living in freedom through continuous renewal in His love. However, distractions are everywhere. From the demands of daily life to even good things that become obsessions, anything can transform into a rival love if it begins to occupy the space that should belong...

 Forgiveness is a deeply transformative act, and while many focus on the importance of forgiving others, self-forgiveness is equally crucial. The way we judge ourselves, often harsher than the judgment we receive from others, can leave us trapped in a cycle of guilt, shame, and self-condemnation. In this article, we will explore the steps toward self-forgiveness, drawing from a reflective devotional journey to understand how to extend grace and mercy to ourselves, just as we are called to do with others. Facing the Reality of Our Mistakes When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, their first reaction was to hide—using fig leaves to cover their shame and guilt. This instinct to conceal our mistakes is common to all of us. We often try to mask our errors with excuses, distractions, or defensive behaviors. However, just as hiding did not solve Adam and Eve’s problem, avoiding or denying our mistakes only prolongs the pain. Facing the reality of our sins head-on is the first step...

Since the time of the Garden of Eden, humanity has struggled with fear and self-preservation. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and hid themselves, fear took root in the human heart, distorting their relationship with the Creator. This initial act of self-preservation set a behavioral pattern that many of us still follow today: we try to protect ourselves from the consequences of our actions, preferring to hide rather than expose ourselves to God's light. Exposing the Nakedness addresses this central issue of the Christian faith: the struggle between fear and trust in God. Fear leads us to build barriers between ourselves and God, to listen to voices that pull us away from Him, and to try to preserve our lives by our own means. These barriers keep us trapped, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of life that God offers. Jesus calls us to trust Him completely, to place our lives in His hands, and to follow His voice amidst the many others that compete for our attention. The v...