No Condemnation

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1

If you're perfect, have no problems, never make mistakes or never beat yourself up about mistakes, DO NOT read this.

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Many of us give ourselves a hard time when we've messed up. Even if we are Christ followers, we somehow don't believe that God really forgives us every time we sin, that we are still in a relationship with him, that he still loves us just as much as the day we first chose him. Sure, when we disobey or rebel against God, we suffer a loss of fellowship, consequences, and conviction. But after repentance there is no reason to keep rehashing our guilt. Because it's gone. Washed away.

How do I know this? Because I've dealt with it my whole life. I call it beating myself up. Not just about sin, but about imperfection, not getting it just right, etc. This is not a happy way to live. And I've come to realize it's because I don't trust God. What? You heard me. My insecurity is because I don't trust what God has told me about who He is and what He's going to do. I forget about my place, which, in God's view, is this:

Ephesians 1:11 - chosen
Ephesians 1:13 - marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 2:6 - seated with Christ in the heavenly realms
1 Peter 2:5 - living stone being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood
1 Peter 2:9 - a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation
Jeremiah 31:3 - loved with an everlasting love
Romans 5:1 - at peace with God, have access by faith to his grace in which I stand
Colossians 1:13 - rescued from the dominion of darkness, brought into the Son's kingdom, redeemed, forgiven

More next time.