Exit Manipulation

Jesus does not hold His sacrifice over our heads. He does not make us feel guilty for what He did on the cross. This could only happen if He was forced and obligated to die. But Jesus did not have to do what He did. He did it voluntarily out of His freedom as God. Jesus sacrificed His life willingly. Jesus gives gifts purely and without impure motives or strings attached. God is self-sufficient, therefore He does not need to nor can He manipulate us with His gifts and His ultimate life sacrifice in His Son. May our pride and walls subsequently melt away at the knowledge of this.

"...he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." -Psalm 103:10-12

God does not give me what I deserve. He does not repay evil with evil, but with good.

My God does not criticize or judge me. Some reflections on the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son that apply to this:

"The harsh and bitter reproaches of the [elder] son are not met with words of judgment. There is no recrimination or accusation. The father does not defend himself or even comment on the elder son's behavior. The father moves directly beyond all evaluations to stress his intimate relationship with his son when he says: 'You are with me always.' ...the father's unreserved, unlimited love is offered wholly and equally to both his sons." -The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henry Nouwen, p. 80

If you want to be wrecked, read the above book. You won't be disappointed.