I have had several conversations this week with folks dealing with guilt over sin – the condemnation kind, not the godly grief kind. I am stunned by the way God deals with us when we have sinned. What I expect from my Judge is a big frown, maybe an injury to get my attention, a rough day at work to pay me back, at least a good guilt trip to remind me of my sinfulness. Where did I learn this? From where did this notion of God’s dealing me in my sin come? Maybe we learn it from an earthly father or our culture. It didn’t come from God. Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 how God deals with His precious children, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Amazing! No guilt trip (A godly grief that leads to repentance? Yes. 2 Cor 7:9-11). No fireballs of anger from above. No heavy handedness. Just mercy. All we get is mercy! Will He discipline us? Yes – lovingly, as sons and daughters and “for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb 12:5-11). So, the next time you are under conviction for sin, consider the mercy of God, repent and be thankful. Before the Judge of the universe you stand as His child, not His enemy. He loves us with a covenant loyalty (hesed – ESV “steadfast love”, Ex 34:6; Deut 7:9; Is 55:8-10; Joel 2:13; Micah 7:18; Ps 51:1; 89; 107; 109; 136) that flows from His infinite joy in Himself. The very One who alone can condemn, “destroy[ing] both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28), has “set you free in Christ from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2).
“By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for our sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit…. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with out spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom 8:3-4, 14-16).
2 comments:
Isn't it reassuring to know that God is our Good Shepherd, and not the wolf?! I am so thankful that he brings us into the safety of the pen, then calls us by name and leads us out to find pasture and flourish, protecting and watching over us all the way. He came to bring us life. John 10:1-21.
He withholds no good gifts nor gives bad gifts to His children. This has comforted me many times. Even His discipline is a good gift.
Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
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