JESUS FREES FROM SIN AND GUILT
The Bible says, if the Son of God sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36). And there is no condemnation for those whose sins are covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 8:1). However, the devil continuously accuses God’s people of sin (Revelation 12:10).
Some of God’s people may respond to these accusations with a sense of crippling guilt, and of feeling unworthy to testify and work for God. Yet, trusting in the truth of God’s Word about the work of Jesus Christ will set the believer free from all condemnation.
BELIEVE AND BE FREE
A WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY. Scribes and Pharisees, brought a woman to Jesus whom they claimed was caught in adultery. They asked Jesus if she should be stoned to death as the Mosaic Law prescribed? Jesus stooped down and began to write on the ground. He looked up and said, let the one who is without sin cast the first stone. When he looked up again, everyone had left. Jesus then ask the woman, does anyone condemn you? She said, no one, sir. The Lord said , neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more (John8:1-11).
THE APOSTLE PAUL. This apostle said, he was the worst of all sinners before he met the Lord, because he persecuted the people of God (1 Timothy 1:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:9). After he repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, he did not allow the devil to lay a guilt trip on him, which might have interfered with his laboring diligently for the Lord. The Lord used Paul to proclaim the gospel of salvation to Jews and Gentiles. (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
Jesus said, “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men,” except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—like some Pharisees did in calling the Spirit in Jesus Christ a devil (Matthew 12:31).
CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN
After repenting and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior as the scriptures say, we may fall because of a weakness. But we need not try to hide from God, like Adam and Eve did (Genesis 3). God wants us to know that as born-again children of God, we are still covered by the blood of his Son Jesus. And “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Whom the Lord has cleansed, no one should consider unclean (Acts 10:15).
ASK AND BE STRENGTHEN
However, we may feel bound to sin because of a particular weakness; but we should not continue to practice sin that God’s grace may abound (Romans 6:12). Although there may be an area of our life where the devil has built a stronghold, we should pray fervently without giving up in seeking the help of the Lord to strengthen us. By his Spirit the Lord can strengthen us and tear down any stronghold of the devil (Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 4:13; ).
God says to whoever repents and believes in his Son Jesus Christ, “sin shall not have dominion over you” (Romans 6:18). He has planned that we be conformed to the likeness of his Son (Rom. 8:29). If the Son of God sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36).
