This week's Thankful Thursday focuses on freedom. Lynn asks the question: "How has Jesus freed you?"
As I considered this question, I got to thinking about this verse:
and,"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17
I have long struggled with feelings of condemnation, but when I focus on these verses I realized that Jesus isn't the one condemning me!
Well, if not God, then who? Satan, that's who! The bible tells us that satan is the accuser of the brothers (saints) in Revelation 12. Not only that, but he accuses us day and night.
Let's stop a minute and look at what condemn means: to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation. [Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]
Satan tries to get me to feel that I am wrong most of the time, or that I'm no good (evil). Why, there are days he tries to get me to believe I'm not even saved!
That's not what Jesus does. He loves me with an unfailing love and with tender mercy. Not only that, but His righteousness is imputed unto me (or put into my account). When God looks at me, He sees Jesus' righteousness, not mine. Whew! Am I glad! My righteousness is less than nothing.
The Lord does convict, or convince of error or sinfulness. [Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary] He does tell me when I've sinned or had the wrong attitude, but He doesn't condemn me and say I'm no good or that I'll never amount to anything.
When I can grasp the fact that He is not condemning me in my soul, it frees me up. That awful weight of my own shortcomings doesn't press me down like it used to do. I realize that those times in the middle of the night when I wake up and rehearse all the times I've failed is brought upon me by satan, not Jesus!
It makes me feel ... well, free!
To learn how others have been set free, visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
Jerrelea,
ReplyDeletePraising the Lord for the truth of His Word shared here today! Blessings to you on this TT!
This post has a lot of encouragement! Thanks for dropping by my blog today. Hope to see you next week. Happy Thankful Thursday!
ReplyDeletePraise God for our freedom through Him.
ReplyDeleteI, too, praise God for the freedom that comes from Him. Free of condemntation and free for eternity! Happy Thankful Thursday!
ReplyDeleteHappy TT to you! Thank you so much for stopping by and for offering your congratulation to my daughter!
ReplyDeleteSatan works so hard to get us away from Jesus, but thank the Lord he can't snatch us out of His hands. Loved your post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I really needed that encouragement and reminder today.
ReplyDeletesuch an encouraging post.
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting my TT
hi jerri. i was just reminded of this yesterday - when satan keeps reminding you of your past or is accusing you or anything to that effect... remind him of his destiny. his destiny is DOOMED. he is DEFEATED.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully said.
ReplyDeleteblessing and joy
Growing to be Free in Christ
Willnette