Why Guilt Is An Unseen Force
Guilt is an unseen force unlike any other. It drives people to depression, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, and a host of many negative emotions. Satan’s main job is to be sure you stay in that state of mind. As long as he can make you feel guilty, you are in his arena and he is winning.
When we grasp the difference between the truth of the Word of the law and the Word of grace, we can become free from guilt.
“Therefore let it be known to you that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him, everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Yet, many believe and function as if they are still under the old law. This is exactly where the enemy wants you to stay.
Guilt Is An Unseen Force Leading You To Negativity
What you believe is your choice. God is not going to force you to believe His Word. But when you taste the freedom that comes from understanding grace, your life changes.
The only qualification for forgiveness is believing in Jesus. The old covenant was based on justification by works or obedience to the ten commandments. You had to PERFORM to be forgiven.
But, the new covenant of grace is based entirely on justification BY FAITH in Jesus as outlined in Acts 13: 38-39. “Be it known unto you that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Can you see the radical difference? The demand is NO longer on you but on Christ. This is the good news of the gospel: all who believe in Jesus receive the forgiveness of all their sins and are justified from all things.
You Are The Perfection Of Jesus's Finished Work
What does God see when He looks at you? He sees the PERFECTION of His Son’s finished work in your life.
If you are continually conscious of your sins then you are not honoring the work of Christ in you.
Jesus is our High Priest and to further illustrate this truth, look at the breastplate of the high priest of ancient Israel.
There are twelve stones on the high priest’s breastplate and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are engraved on the stones. For example, “Judah” is engraved on the sardius stone set in the first row. “Gad” is engraved on the diamond set in the second row.
Notice in Exodus 39 how God depicts His people, all of us, as precious stones. He did not use common rocks or pebbles. He deliberately chose costly, rare, and precious gems such as sapphire, topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, onyx, and jasper to represent His children.
Jesus has engraved YOUR name on a precious stone, and He keeps it close to His heart.
Of all the garments donned by the high priest, the breastplate is closest to the heart. God values YOU and He desires is to keep you close to His heart. In His eyes, you are costly, precious, and loved.
Also, note that the names of the tribes of Israel were not merely written on the gems; they were engraved. This means that once you become a believer in Jesus, your name is forever engraved in His Book of Life.
You Are An Overcomer
Can your name be blotted out of its place in God’s heart? Look at what Jesus promises those who are born again: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will NOT blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before his angels” Revelation 3:5
Last week’s article explains How Jesus is our Advocate when we sin and will answer any questions regarding where we stand with God.
Through Christ Jesus, you are an overcomer and can rest assured that your name will not be blotted out from the Book of Life. It will remain engraved on stone and close to God’s heart for all eternity.
“There is, therefore, NO condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1. From the original text, it says: “There is, therefore, NO (no one, none, nothing) condemnation (punishment following condemnation, penal servitude, penalty.)
Jesus paid the price. He paid it all. When you pray, thank God for this truth and rejoice in it every day!
If Jesus paid the price for our sins, we do not have to listen to the lies of the enemy who wants to keep us in a state of guilt.