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' (Ro 3:23 NLT). The strongest among us struggle with areas of weakness. But by continually wallowing in guilt, you're not only punishing yourself, you're allowing others to punish you too, because you think you deserve it. Surrendering your life to Jesus doesn't mean you become sinless. Even Paul, who had 'the desire to do ... good' admits that sometimes he couldn't 'carry it out' (Ro 7:18 NIV)

The good news of the Gospel is that whenever you're 'in Christ ... [you're] not judged guilty', and when you repent and seek forgiveness, God's bound to honour His Word. Nothing you do surprises Him. He knows 'we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' (2 Co 4:7). In Disciplines of the Hungry Heart, Pastor R Paul Stevens writes: 'While our church was worshipping ... as I looked at the people I've come to love, I saw that each was an earthen vessel ... I looked into each mud pot and ... saw exquisite molten gold. Each person frail, vulnerable, and half-fashioned had treasure inside ... each pot was cracked ... and the ... gold was oozing through the cracks. That's how ministry comes into the world, not poured out of expensive vases, but through ... the faults and weaknesses of real people who are being transfigured by Christ.'

Now Satan, 'the accuser of our brethren' (Rev 12:10) will try to make you guilty over sin of which you've already repented. That's his specialty! But you can defeat his influence in your life by reminding yourself that Jesus paid the price for your sins - past, present and future. So get off the guilt train today and begin to 'serve the Lord with gladness' (Ps 100:2)

(The word for today form UCB Australia)