He Declares Me Righteous and Forgiven

“But now a righteousness from God,

Apart from law, has been made known,

To which the Law and the Prophets testify.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ

 to all who believe.”

Romans 3:21-22

“Therefore, there is no condemnation

For those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1

Many go through life carrying a heavy load of guilt.  They are governed by an internal set of “shoulds”. Unfortunately, they never live up to their own expectations. For many years, this was true of me. I felt guilty a lot.  As a child, I remember laying in bed at night confessing my sins over and over as if repeating them a lot would help God hear. It wasn’t until well into my adult life that I came to a deeper understanding of grace, realizing I could let go of guilt feelings.  God didn’t condemn me so I didn’t need to condemn myself.  When I sin, which I will because I am not perfect, I only need to confess and stand in the freedom of my forgiveness. (I John 1:9) He continually cleanses me day after day, moment by moment, from all unrighteousness. What an amazing reason to praise Him!  The more I praise Him for clothing me in righteousness and for His forgiveness, the more I believe it in my heart. As a result, I am able to walk through life, “guilt free.”

God doesn’t want you to walk through life feeling guilty!  He wants you to live and breathe in His forgiveness moment by moment. As you learn to praise Him for His forgiveness my prediction is that you will struggle with guilt a whole lot less.

Praise Challenge 

Today, spend your praise time focusing on God’s forgiveness. Imagine yourself clothed in His glorious righteous robe.  (You’re looking fabulous!) Then throughout the day, every time you tell yourself, “I should’ make a tiny mark with a pen, or eyeliner, on your hand. Every time you mark your hand immediately praise God that he does not condemn you! This is a great experiment to see how much you struggle with guilt feelings.   “Should” produces guilt – it’s like self-scolding!  At the end of the day – wash your hands clean and praise God that you are forgiven and free.

 If you do sin by actually dishonoring God in some way, confess that to him and immediately praise Him for His forgiveness.  Stand firm in your freedom today and strut His stuff in your righteous robe!