Guilt-free

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Romans 5:1

Sin and guilt produce disharmony with God. It is often said that justified means “just as if I have never sinned.” The good news of the cross is that there is no need to be bogged down in guilt. The debt of sin has been paid. And the apostle John writes the assurance, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).   

Jesus teaches a lesson on forgiveness with the story of the servant who begged the king for time to repay a large debt. The king had compassion and forgave him. Then the forgiven servant demanded a fellow servant immediately pay him back a small amount of money. When the king found out, he reinstated the debt, demanding payment from the unforgiving servant.  

Jesus took care of your sins. It is not your job to pay for your own sins with guilt or to mentally and emotionally beat yourself up. It is your job to receive God’s forgiveness provided on the cross for you and extend it to others. In this way, you will walk in harmony and peace with God and enjoy the quiet, tranquility of a soul resting in His grace.  

Have you received God’s forgiveness and dropped the baggage of guilt? Have you extended forgiveness to others who have hurt you? Pray for God’s mercy on America and that followers of Christ will set the example of receiving and offering His forgiveness.  

Today’s Verse: Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


Back to top
FE3