There is No Condemnation

For those of you who have struggled with feelings of condemnation, even after confessing and after repenting of your sins....I have been there too. Sometimes it can come in the form of heavy weight after doing something you know is wrong. Sometimes, it's just a general feeling of "ick" and shame, even if nothing specifically wrong has been done. I don't mind sharing this because I want you to be free too. Here is what The Lord has been showing me:

Satan is the accuser of the brethren who would want to get Christians focused on their feelings instead of the truth of God's Word that says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). If you've repented of it and confessed it to Jesus, then it's been removed from you as far as the east is from the west, (Psalm 103:12), even if the residue of bad feelings remains after He has forgiven you.

The Lord showed me something that hit home. I sensed Him asking me a question: "Why would I have gone through all the effort of going to the cross and giving My life if I was more interested in condemning you for your sin than I was in forgiving and restoring you?"

Point taken! So true! If He really wanted to condemn me, He wouldn't have willingly gone to the cross and take my punishment so I could be close to God. He would have just let my life take the natural downward spiral and said, "Sorry, you poor human...oh well."

But He doesn't do that!

God's heart is leaving the 99 on the hillside to come after the 1. (Matthew 18:12)

God's heart is saying neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. (John 8:11)

God's heart is for us and not against us. (Romans 8:31)

God's heart is to send His one and only Son to die for our sins. (John 3:16)

The point is, He didn't have to....BUT HE DID.

He did! He did!

He did because He WANTS you and I free! (Galatians 5:1)
He did because He WANTS you to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
He did because He WANTS you. (John 15:16)

Those feelings of shame that come, even after confession and repentance are strong, but they are not accurate. It's like the enemy slaps a virtual reality headset on and starts replaying the old things that The Lord has just forgiven through His sacrifice.

In those moments, we need to stand firm in truth (Ephesians 6:13) and not waver for the lie the enemy is trying to feed us: "Did God really say you were forgiven?" Do you notice the familiar question? "Did God really say?" It's how he tricked Eve. Don't let him trick you with his old games.

Truth and the love of Christ wins out! Always!