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- Apr 25, 2006
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Get off the guilt train!
'Those...in Christ...are not judged guilty.' ROMANS 8:1
The Bible says, 'We all fall short of God's...standard' (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Even the most amazing Christians you know struggle with weaknesses, some huge ones probably! We all screw up and mess up and generally do things every minute that we know we shouldn't. But if you live in a giant pit of guilt you're just punishing yourself which is not how you're supposed to be living!
Becoming a Christian and giving your life to Jesus doesn't mean you become perfect. You will still blow it day after day. Even Paul, who had 'the desire to do...good,' admits that sometimes he couldn't 'carry it out' (Romans 7:18 NIV).
The good news of the Gospel means that whenever you're 'in Christ... [you're] not judged guilty'. You do, however, need to say sorry and ask to be forgiven! This also means if you've got things to put right, you need to do that too. Sometimes saying sorry to God isn't enough, you have to say sorry to people and admit to them what you've been up to. But remember, this automatic forgiveness deal is not an excuse to sin.
Your folks will forgive you for most things but is this a reason to steal out of your mum's purse? Because she will forgive you? Of course not. We do our best out of love. Grace is there for when our best just isn't good enough.
written by Bob Gass
