“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”(1)
I was listening to a Christian broadcast radio station of an 83-year-old woman who in past, had committed an erroneous sin. She’d been carrying the burden of it for decades. She called into the station in an open question and answer discussion asking how she could forgive herself. I would imagine by the time you’re 83 you have made a mistake or two! Of course we all have! My heart melted at the weight of sin that she carried for a long time and had a hard time turning loose of. Whether it is a slip of the tongue or a bigger, much more serious sin, we do not live under condemnation when sin is confessed and dealt with. Sin causes inner grief. Remorseful sorrow brings us to the Lord with genuine repentance seeking forgiveness. When forgiven we know there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Satan makes us feel like we are under God’s judgment, as if God could not love us for the sin we have done. The Scriptures have positive power of rectifying what has gone wrong. They speak TRUTH to us. “We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our hearts before Him, in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.”(2) It should bring great comfort to know God is all-knowing, all loving and faithful, and does away with our sins when confessed. “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments…’” (3) “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Great is the Lord, His mercies endure forever! (4) “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”(5) The Word of God exposes sin, but it also rectifies us making us right through admitting our sins and changing our hearts.
Count God’s promises and truths one by one then hold them close to heart. God is gracious and forgiving, not counting our sins against us. Let’s thank Him!
Look to Jesus, the only FAITHFUL One! “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”(6) God cannot go against Himself, that is, He cannot come against His promises or His character, because He is holy and a God of all truth. There is no error or falseness in Him. Therefore He rules in unchangeable ways – God is faithful to bring YOU to glory. “…who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ? God is faithful through whom you were called into the fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”(7) Recall to yourself this truth…He is not finished with you, but still working a mighty work. Praise Him that His mercies are unchanging.
If you find yourself in a place where you feel the weight of sin heavy on your shoulders such as this 83-year-old woman, then today is the day to take action. Come to the Lord and humbly tell Him your sins. Surrender all accounts to the Lord, and let them go at the cross and sin no more. I imagine in my mind nailing a peculiar sin to the cross so it is done away with…it is no more. “Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out-of-the-way, having nailed it to the cross.”(8) Receive Christ’s atonement for your sins as justified and live in grace and peace. Grace abounds! Live free in Him! Recall Romans 8:33 – 34, “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, and who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” HE INTERCEDES FOR US! Then remember, nothing can separate us, you and me, from the love of Christ. Here, we will stay forever embraced in His love!
Lord, Your Word convicts me but it also heals me. Thank You that it tells me what You accomplished for me on the cross was enough. Thank You I can be assured You have cancelled my debt of sins to set me free. Let me be mindful that nothing I’ve done is outside of Your control, I only need to come to You for help, confess my sin and sin no more. Humbly I thank You. Amen.
Footnotes;
1. 2. Romans 8:1 2. 1 John 19, 20 3. Daniel 9:4 niv 4. Psalms 103:12 5. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 6. 2 Timothy 2:13 7. 1 Corinthians 1:8, 9 8. Colossians 2:14 KDAR, 10/21/14 Arterburn, Steve, Lacado, Max, Unless otherwise cited, all Scriptures are taken from the nas
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