Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging
guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8: 1a (Amplified
Bible)
When we spend most of our time looking at our shortcomings,
faults, and failures, we short-circuit the grace of God in our lives. Yes, we
should be sorry and repent when we sin, but we should not camp in our guilt.
The precious blood of Jesus Christ was shed, not merely to cover sin, but to
blot it out and remove it from the mind of God forever.
When we repent and ask forgiveness, we must go ahead and
receive the forgiveness that is freely offered, and then walk on with no more
consciousness of sin. The blood of Christ is that powerful! Let’s honor the
shed blood by applying it to our lives and becoming more grace conscious than
sin conscious.
What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who
[can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] He who did
not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will he
not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Who shall
bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God who justifies [that is,
Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or
impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God who acquits us?] Who is there to
condemn [us]? Will Jesus Christ (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was
raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He
intercedes for us? Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Romans 8: 31
– 35a (Amplified Bible)
The enemy of our souls would like us to wallow in our faults
and failures, because then we have no confidence in ourselves or trust toward
God. We feel He is displeased with us. When we listen to the enemy’s whispers
of condemnation in our ears, we are less able to hear the voice of God. We
become useless in the Kingdom of God, and the plans God has for our lives are
hindered.
Allow God to show us the good things of Himself that He has
placed within us and wishes to use for His glory. Let God maximize those things
instead of concentrating on our shortcomings. Showing mercy and grace to
ourselves when we’ve messed up will help us show mercy and grace to others.
Self-condemnation leads to a judgmental spirit and condemnation of others in a
vicious cycle that does not glorify God.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left,
remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our
debtors. Matthew 6: 12 (Amplified Bible)
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you
may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you
judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and
condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others,
it will be dealt out to you. Matthew 7: 1 – 2 (Amplified Bible)
Here are some Scripture-based thoughts to repeat aloud to
ourselves daily, and especially when we need to appropriate the freely offered
cleansing of our sins.
* I always look for the good in others.
* I refuse to judge or be judgmental; I leave that
responsibility totally to God.
*I am righteous through the blood of Jesus and am able to
stand in the presence of God without any sense of sin, guilt or inferiority, as
if sin never existed.
* Grace and peace are being multiplied in my life through
the knowledge of the God.
