Too many Believers are living beneath their privilege because they are condemning themselves for the sins they have committed. Romans 8:1 tells us there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ. However, far too often self-condemnation is robbing individuals of freedom and their lives are ineffective witnesses of God’s grace.
One of the most devastating events in the Believer’s life is the realization that he is still prone to sin, and that his sin brings a tremendous sense of guilt. Expressions like, “Why do I do this?” and “I just don’t understand,” are common. Added to this is the fact that Satan, God’s enemy, takes the Believer’s sin as an opportunity to accuse him. “You must not really be a Christian,” he says.
Satan’s attack is designed to cause the Believer to doubt the power of the blood to forgive and cleanse. The argument presented is that if the blood is indeed sufficient, then why does one continue to sin, and have these oppressive times of guilt?
Faith is the primary weapon the Believer has against the self-condemnation resulting from Satan’s attempt to cast doubt on God’s effective work of blood redemption. One must accept that the blood works in three ways.
First the Believer must faithfully accept that the blood of Christ was completely sufficient to settle his debt toward God. That is a central theme of Scripture. Secondly, the Believer must understand that the blood of Christ both covers and cleanses one’s sin. When the Believer accepts that his sin is covered, he no longer has consciousness of that sin. It is no longer a weight of guilt about him, preventing him for living the effective life God intends. Thirdly, since the blood of Christ justifies the Believer before God, God can now stand with the Believer against the common enemy, Satan.
Don’t try to justify yourself to the Evil One. It is an exasperating and demoralizing experience. When you sin, claim the victory of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sin, He is faith and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” By faith believing that the blood of Jesus cleanses and makes you acceptable and usable in His service.
One of the most devastating events in the Believer’s life is the realization that he is still prone to sin, and that his sin brings a tremendous sense of guilt. Expressions like, “Why do I do this?” and “I just don’t understand,” are common. Added to this is the fact that Satan, God’s enemy, takes the Believer’s sin as an opportunity to accuse him. “You must not really be a Christian,” he says.
Satan’s attack is designed to cause the Believer to doubt the power of the blood to forgive and cleanse. The argument presented is that if the blood is indeed sufficient, then why does one continue to sin, and have these oppressive times of guilt?
Faith is the primary weapon the Believer has against the self-condemnation resulting from Satan’s attempt to cast doubt on God’s effective work of blood redemption. One must accept that the blood works in three ways.
First the Believer must faithfully accept that the blood of Christ was completely sufficient to settle his debt toward God. That is a central theme of Scripture. Secondly, the Believer must understand that the blood of Christ both covers and cleanses one’s sin. When the Believer accepts that his sin is covered, he no longer has consciousness of that sin. It is no longer a weight of guilt about him, preventing him for living the effective life God intends. Thirdly, since the blood of Christ justifies the Believer before God, God can now stand with the Believer against the common enemy, Satan.
Don’t try to justify yourself to the Evil One. It is an exasperating and demoralizing experience. When you sin, claim the victory of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sin, He is faith and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” By faith believing that the blood of Jesus cleanses and makes you acceptable and usable in His service.
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
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