Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard: Condemnation

Saturday 14 March 2020

Condemnation

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death." Romans 8:1-2. NLT

At times when we have fallen into some type of sin, we feel awful. We feel this way because we feel that we have let Jesus down, and no matter what anyone says to us, we find it hard to accept we are forgiven when we have confessed this to God.

When we have confessed our sin to God and yet, still feel guilty, two things are happening. Firstly, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that:

"For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death." NLT

There are times when the sin we have committed affects us so badly that no matter how many times we ask God to forgive us, we still feel guilty. This is Godly sorrow that has led us to repent and in one way this is good, but we need to back this up with scriptures such as:

"But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." 1 John 1:9 NLT

Secondly, we need to be aware that the devil can have a heyday with us and make us feel terrible when we have let God down - when we have fell to the same old sin that trips us up constantly. Take heed, this is condemnation. The devil is judging you and attempting to load on to you, lies from the pit. He is not your friend and will try to separate you from Jesus at every opportunity. Don't let him.

The Vines Expository Bible says of condemnation in Romans 8:1:

'Even if we feel condemnation, we can never be condemned, because God has already set us free. We live under His protection.'

David Guzik adds to this:

Since God the Father does not condemn Jesus, neither can the Father condemn those who are in Jesus. They are not condemned, they will not be condemned and they cannot be condemned.'
Enduring Word - David Guzik

And there we have it. You may have let God down but if you have asked Him to forgive you, then you are forgiven. Jesus has set you free and determined that you will never, ever be condemned for anything that you have done wrong.

So lighten up, receive His forgiveness and get on with you day!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard