“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
I purchased an expensive picture for our bedroom. I had been looking for one since we moved into the house and I had finally found the perfect one. At least, so I thought at the time of the purchase. There was a condition — the sale was final. I could not return it if I didn’t like it.
To my utter dismay, after the picture was delivered and placed on the wall over our bed, I realized I didn’t like it. It didn’t look right in the room — the colors were too vibrant, and the scene was not peaceful. It disturbed me every time I walked into the room.
Now I faced another choice — take it down and store it, or learn to live with it. The worse part wasn’t the picture itself, it was the guilt I felt over what I had paid for it. I was losing sleep because I felt so terrible, as the money could have been better used. For several weeks this feeling of guilt kept gnawing at me as I went about my work.
One day while I was out walking, the Lord brought the promise in Romans 9:1 to mind:
“Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
The light went on! That is right, I thought, I don’t have to walk around with this guilt. I can confess it and Jesus Christ will remove the feelings of guilt. After all, that is why He died.
So I did. I admitted that my purchase was too expensive, and I told God how badly I felt about it and claimed His forgiveness according to 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
My burden of guilt was removed immediately, and in its place joy now filled my life.
Through Christ’s death on the cross, God offers us freedom from guilt. Often, we don’t take the time to analyze our guilty feelings or take the time to admit and confess them, and so we suffer needlessly. Friend, do not suffer in silence. Confess to the Lord and know that He will be faithful to forgive.
Have you experienced Christ’s forgiveness of any guilt you are holding onto.
If you have never walked in a relationship with Christ you can start today by committing and submitting your llife to him. You can start this with a simple prayer:
Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small. Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen
It starts now.