A guilt-free conscience

©Sofia Di

     Last year, the Lord showed me many things that allowed me to overcome the challenges I faced. One of the most important truths He taught me was to live a "guilt-free" life through Jesus Christ. I learned that my faith in Him will cause me to produce good fruits.

   The base of this truth can be found in Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

As an old Christian---received Jesus at age 4. I grew up trying to please God in everything I would do. I  didn't understand that God was already pleased with me. In the Songs of Solomon He says of me that I am altogether lovely, I am like a lily among thorns. Nevertheless, the mindset of being a good Christian all the time created a self-righteous attitude in me that would not allow me to see God's love for me.

     I recently realized that my self-righteous attitude was very similar to the one of a pharisee  because I was trying to impose rules and regulations over my life very hard to bear. My joy depended on my performance, if I would follow the rules then I wold feel good about my self. If I would break one of those rules I would beat my self up over and over.

   The problem with the rules and regulations I would impose on my self is that they were never satisfying. Every day I would require more righteous works, more righteous thoughts, more righteous attitudes or words. Condemnation became like a monster in my mind.

   Guilt and condemnation can be an endless cycle in our lives that instead of helping us to overcome our challenges, it would lead us to do the things we hate the most.

  God wants to remove this guilt, shame-based nature in us. He wants us to receive HIS righteousness so we can produce good fruit.

   Our righteousness is not based on our good or bad performance. To God, there is no difference between doing the "right thing"  or the "wrong thing"  because both "works" are counted as filthy rags if they come from our own merit or strength (Isaiah 64:6.) The only righteousness God receives is the one given by his son Jesus Christ at the cross where He died to pay for our sins.

   When we sin we focus on our performance, so we try to make up somehow for the wrong we've made. Sometimes, we try to pay by feeling guilty and condemn. But the truth is that God does not requires sacrifices anymore.  Guilt is a sacrifice that would never please God. The only sacrifice that pleased him was the one made by Jesus Christ at the calvary---we find this truth in Hebrews 10.

   Hebrews is a book that talks about faith, This book teaches us the only way to please God, which is to have faith.  We need to have faith in His son and in HIS righteousness because when we have faith in HIS righteousness then God writes His laws in our hearts and in our minds. This will cause in our hearts a real transformation and it will set us free. We can be assured that our lives will produce a pleasant fruit when we receive the grace God is giving us.

      Also, If we believe in HIS righteousness we will see ourselves and others with God's eyes. We will realize that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness. Therefore, we are the righteousness of God. We will also see that we have been sprinkled with water so we can have a clear conscience. We are His lovely bride without a wrinkle or spot.  We have been made perfect for the sacrifice of his son. It is good news to know that He remembers our sins no more! What God has forgotten we should forget too! His grace abounds for all of us even when we sin.

     Next time you make a mistake, just remember to take your brokenness at the cross and receive Jesus' wholeness because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.  Don't give place to guilt and condemnation because when God sees us, He sees Jesus' work at the cross.

    Lastly,  is important for us to know that the things we do to "please" God should never be the root of our righteousness.  Instead, they should be a result of our faith in Christ Jesus.

Salvation Prayer

     Have you receive Jesus as your lord and savior?  It is only through Him that our sins are forgiven. If you have not receive him yet as your savior, do not be afraid. He is not respecter of persons. We are all accepted into his kingdom. To receive him just pray with me the following prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins, come into my life, I make you my lord and savior. I believe you died for me and you rose from the grave. I believe that through you my sins have been forgiven.  Thank you for the new life I have in you." Amen