5. GET RID OF THOSE GUILTY FEELINGS

THIS SERIES: HOW TO FIND REST IN THE LORD 

​Guilt. It hangs over so many Christians like a shroud. Often it’s not about identifiable sins, but rather a general sense of being blameworthy, of not measuring up.

Interestingly, the word for sin in the New Testament literally means ‘to miss the mark’. Jesus died not only so we could be forgiven for our specific and identifiable sins, but also to bridge the gap where we feel we have fallen short. We were made to live in God’s glory [Romans 3:23], but our sin opened up an unnavigable gulf between us. Jesus came to bridge that gap (we can imagine the cross laid horizontally across that chasm), so we could be restored to our destined place as children of God.

There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
[Romans 8:1,2]
​

​No condemnation means we no longer are blame-worthy. No condemnation means we are no longer under any judgement. No condemnation means that we no longer have to live under a cloud of guilt. Both specific sins and our general sense of shortfall are covered by the blood of Jesus; and when God looks at us, instead of seeing our mistakes and failures, He sees us clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

We do not have to carry feelings of guilt any longer. If we know we have sinned, we can confess it and then rejoice in the fact that we have been forgiven. Taking Jesus at His word is a choice not a feeling:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
[1 John 1:9]
​

​And we can also lay at the foot of the cross any lingering feelings of not measuring up, knowing that Jesus has already made up the shortfall.

Let's find rest from the heavy chains of guilt.
Let’s enjoy the freedom Jesus came to give us.
 

For more on how to get rid of guilt, see MISSING THE MARK: OVERCOMING GUILT AND SHAME

Did you know there is nothing you can do which would make God love you more than He does at this moment? And there is nothing you can do which would make Him love you less?

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SET FREE FROM THE NEED TO PERFORM

​Did you know there is nothing you can do which would make the Lord love you more than He does at this moment? And there is nothing you can do which would make Him love you less? And did you know that there is nothing you can do to deserve His love?

No amount of Bible reading, meeting attendance, charity work or being good will affect the way He thinks of you.

The fact is He loves you. Full stop. With all your mistakes and failures, with all your idiosyncrasies and bad habits; with your unique personality, gifts and abilities; with your distinctive outlook on life; He loves you with a love so passionate, He was prepared to undergo the most terrible suffering in order to draw you to Himself.

You don’t have to do anything to earn His favour, you already have it; there is no exploit which will get Him to notice you as His eyes are already on you, taking note of every detail of your life.
You are the beloved; forgiven, accepted, treasured, and delighted in. You can stop trying so hard for His approval, you already have it.

And He will perfect the work He’s started in you—working from inside out—if you let Him.

Want to know more about having a relationship with God? Click on the link below:
A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

THIS WEEK’S GRACE RHYTHM

​Write down—without analysing—everything which makes you feel guilty. Lay your list before the Lord; ask for His forgiveness and cleansing, then leave it there.

​Whenever you remember, give thanks that Jesus has made up your shortfall, and that you are His beloved; forgiven, accepted, treasured, and delighted in.

NEXT WEEK

SERVANT OR FRIEND?
Last post in the series: We are called into a love-relationship with God; in fact, Jesus calls us friends… 

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​[Photo credits:  Katie Chase (chains);  Jonathan Hoxmark (perfect sign);  Norwood Themes (social media icons) @ Unsplash, with thanks]