01/08/2020
Goodbye Guilt
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
─ Isaiah 53:6 NLT
How much time have you spent feeling guilty about the past or even present circumstances you have no control over? Guilt plagues many of us, but as Christ followers, we can say goodbye to guilt. It should no longer cripple us with fear or cause us to worry.
Why? Because all of us have gone our own way, but because Jesus took our sins upon Himself, paying our debt (Isaiah 53:6). All we must do is receive God’s gift through Christ and we can live knowing God fully and completely forgives us. He has removed our sins from us, as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
It is important to know the difference between guilt (condemnation) and conviction. Romans 8:1 declares us free from guilt – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (NKJV). Satan brings condemnation as our accuser, but we are declared “not guilty” because of Christ.
Conviction is a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, calling us to reconcile our hearts to God (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:5). The Holy Spirit brings to light our relationship to God and opens our hearts to receive His grace (Ephesians 2:8).
Today’s One Thing
Look at the feelings going on in your heart and determine if you’re feeling guilt or conviction. Get alone with God and allow Him to help you reconcile your heart. Say goodbye to guilt; it doesn’t belong to you. And embrace His grace.