This verse jumped out at me the other day when I was reading through Hebrews 12. It's like it stared me square in the eyes and said, 'know me well'. I immediately began to repent of my lack of aggressive persevering through temptation and sin. Often times we allow laziness, apathy, and discouragement to be our friends in the fight against sin and darkness. As believers we are called to be Holy as God is holy, but how? It doesn't just happen does it? I believe one of the keys lies here in this verse.
What does it mean to resist to the point of shedding your blood? The ultimate example is our Lord Jesus Christ. He resisted to the point of shedding His own blood for the sins of the world on a shameful cross. Jesus knew what it meant to resist sin in every way. The bible says that He was even tempted in every way as we are, yet was without sin. We must follow His example of struggling to overcome no matter what.
Can I encourage you today that it is possible to resist? Whatever your dark horse is, whatever issue you have been tempted in over and over again. Have you given up believing that you will be free? Without shame? Clean again? You know it starts with recognizing your own depravity and darkness, but not wallowing in it. No once we realize we are dark, we must embrace that we are more importantly lovely and worth fighting for in the eyes of God. This is good news people. You are more than your sin and darkness, you are more than this world makes you to be. Put your hope and trust in God. Be encouraged.
