We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world. In this world and in our lives bad things happen. Some of the things we are responsible for. We have said things, done things, and thought things we’re not proud of. Our actions have caused harm to others, and some of them we may not be aware of. The thing is we make mistakes, and so do others. It’s all part of the human experience. If you’re like me, you’re hard on yourself. You strive for perfection, even though you know deep down that perfection isn’t obtainable. Nonetheless you don’t give up on being perfect. Many times we feel condemned for the things we’ve done. I believe that this is one reason for depression and anxiety. When we feel condemnation we feel hopeless.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (V. 1). We might feel like we are condemned. We might even receive a message of condemnation from those around us, but if we are followers of Jesus there is no condemnation. Yes, the world may condemn us, but God doesn’t. Who’s opinion matters most? God’s or the world’s? Regardless of what we’ve done we are not condemned. At least in the eyes of God. Why is there no condemnation? The answer has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Jesus. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are transformed, we are a new person. In Jesus, God no longer sees what we have done. His forgiveness has erased it all. In God’s mind none of it happened. Therefore, there is no condemnation.
We don’t have the ability to forget our past. We live with it everyday. I know, because there are things in my past that haunt me. This I wish never would have happened. But they did and I must go on living with them as long as I am on planet earth. However, I can believe that before God there is no condemnation. Through Jesus my sins are forgiven. I remember it, but God doesn’t. When I forget this my depression grips me. I feel unworthy and a disappointment. I begin to feel like I have let others down. But the truth is, I am not condemned in the presence of God. Neither are you. From my personal experiences I begin crawling out of my depression when I cling to Jesus and find that in Him there is no condemnation.
Add comment
Comments