Living in Grace not Guilt

Let’s say that one day my wife asked me what I am thinking about. I’m tempted to lie to her because I’m embarrassed about what is in my mind at that moment. However, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that God’s Word teaches that it is wrong to lie and I believe it is wrong to lie. This is spiritual conviction in my heart, the Holy Spirit speaking to and shaping my moral conscience. This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit; to convict, convince, or reprove (see John 16:8-14, 14:26).

Even though I am convicted spiritually that lying is wrong, let’s say I lie to my wife. Then, I feel bad about it. I feel guilty. In an objective sense, there is guilt in the eyes of God toward me because according to God’s Word I am guilty of sinning, disobeying God (i.e. thou shall not lie). But I also have feelings/emotions/thoughts of guilt after I lied to my wife. I feel bad that I sinned against God and her. This is subjective or psychological guilt. This type of guilt is different for everyone and it may be beneficial to a degree but it can also be destructive.

There is a time for appropriate guilt feelings that lead to good, to help, to constructive thinking, behavior and reconciliation. For example, during an actual sin and soon afterwards you have feelings of remorseful awareness of having done something wrong (or you omitted something right) and you seek to make things right, to honor God in moving forward. You learn to accept that you fail and make mistakes, grow from it, get right with God and others you sin against, and you live in God’s grace.

There are also inappropriate guilt feelings that some people experience which include uncomfortable feelings and thoughts of guilt that linger on when they are not supposed to linger on; or they are way out of proportion compared to the act. This is destructive to our minds and emotions and attitudes and actions. If we allow this kind of guilt to linger and continue it can become a breeding ground for the work of the spiritual enemies of God and our thoughts and feelings will remain in the flesh instead of in the Spirit of God.

Here’s an example of inappropriate guilt feelings in my lying scenario. Man, I have been a Christian for a long time and I’m even a pastor so, I can’t believe I lied to my wife. I’m such a loser, a failure. What if I do it again and keep doing it? I’m uncomfortable around her now. I feel so lousy about lying. This stinks. I’m never good enough. And I’m supposed to be the spiritual leader in our relationship and set an example to others. Ha! And on and on I over-analyze that I lied and I feel like garbage emotionally. This is self-condemnation, self-loathing. This type of guilt we choose to wallow in is not good, not healthy, not God-honoring, and not of God. It’s focusing on ourselves and our failures.

There’s a better way to process our sin guilt, the right way, God’s way. First, I must genuinely confess (agree with God) the sin to God (and my wife since I sinned against her as well; see James 5:16). Here is God’s promise to Christ-followers; 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we confess our sin it must be genuine not saying “I’m sorry” with some sort of disingenuous attitude to avoid punishment or negative consequences.

We must learn to acknowledge that we will fail and make mistakes. We are sinners. We sin. We will sin. 1 John 1:8 ESV If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. So, we must confess our sins.

Confession and forgiveness are tied together in 1 John 1:9. When we genuinely confess our sin to God He forgives us. When we genuinely confess our sin to another person we are not given such a promise that they will forgive us but we should ask for their forgiveness in a loving and respectful way. When my wife forgives me she is not wiping my sin and objective guilt away spiritually like only God can do but her forgiveness does help the relationship I have with my wife to be healthier.

Secondly, when we have godly sorrow, a godly confession, we need to repent of this sinful behavior. Godly sorrow leads to repentance (see 2 Cor. 7:8-10). If our sorrow is not God-honoring then it is of the flesh, it is worldly and this kind of sorrow leads to death. Repent at its core means to turn and to change. Believers’ repentance means to turn away from sin and turn to the way of righteousness in Christ. I believe when a Christ-follower sins after conversion he or she should consciously repent of that sin behavior. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 is an example of the importance of Believers’ repentance.

Our hope and joy in life is not found in self-inflicted worldly guilt. It’s found in Christ through our proper response to Him with faith and obedience like when we confess our sins to Him and repent of them in a God-honoring way.

Praise God that Jesus died for all of our sin (1 Peter 3:18). For true Christ followers Jesus’s atoning death on the cross satisfied God’s wrath upon our sin (1 John 2:2). We are no longer condemned by God’s wrath because we are in Christ. If I lie to my wife, Jesus paid the penalty for that lie with what He did on the cross. And when I confess my sin and repent from it God removes that sin from being an issue with my fellowship with God. He removes that sin from being a hindrance to my spiritual growth and ministry in God’s name.

Praise God for forgiveness and restoration. This Gospel work of Christ is great news! This is grace. We do not deserve God’s forgiveness and the clearing of our objective guilt and restoration to a right fellowship with Him. His grace is amazing. Christ followers are to live in His grace not in feelings of self-inflicted worldly guilt.

Let’s accept God’s truth about divine forgiveness and move forward with God in His peace and joy and grace. There is no reason to have lingering emotional guilt when we follow God’s plan for getting right with Him. Don’t let the flesh and enemies of God rob you of God-given joy, peace, grace, and freedom in Christ.

I don’t mean to make light of your sin and guilt struggles. I realize that a one-time lie to my wife scenario may seem like small potatoes to the person who continues to struggle with lust and porn, or self-centeredness, or pride, or with a drug addiction, etc... But God’s truth is God’s truth regardless of your guilt struggle. Apply God’s Word to your struggles, failures, guilt, sin problems. Confess your sin in faith with godly sorrow and repent to the way of Christ, depending on Him and His power for real eternally significant deliverance and victory (Gal. 1:3-5, 1 Cor. 15:57).

 “The purpose of being guilty is to bring us to Jesus. Once we are there, then its purpose is finished. If we continue to make ourselves guilty—to blame ourselves—then that is sin in itself.” Corrie ten Boom

 “The ultimate solution to guilt and guilt feelings is to admit our pain, suffering, failures, and guilt; to confess sin to Christ and at times to other human beings; to pray for forgiveness and a sincere desire to repent and change behavior; and then to believe with divine help that we are forgiven and accepted by the God of the universe.” (Christian Counseling, Gary Collins, pg144)

 

It is a personal choice to live in grace or live in guilt. Which are you choosing?

  

Mike

Great News; God’s Plan for True Life

The Lord God Almighty created us to be in relationship with Him forever, but sin entered the human race and sin separates us from our Holy Creator and deserves God’s judgment. Fortunately, through God’s grace He sent Christ to die for our sins, to pay the penalty of God’s wrath upon our sin, to bring us to God, to give you and I true life now and for eternity (1 Pet. 3:18, 1 John 2:2, John 3:16, 10:10). How do we receive this true/eternal life from God? We must respond rightly to God and His plan for true life. Here’s how; think of it as the ABC’s for True Life:

 

Admit that you have sinned.  Ask Jesus to forgive you. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." Rom. 3:23, Eph. 1:7, 1 John 1:9

 

Believe with trusting faith upon Jesus that He died on the cross for your sins and rose in victory. “..Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, .. he was buried, .. he was raised on the third day ..” 1 Cor. 15:3-7, 57; "That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom. 10:9

 

Commit (surrender) your life to Jesus as your Savior and the Lord of your life; “and He (Jesus) died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:15; Luke 9:23-24

 

God may be prompting you right now to begin a true/eternal life relationship with Him. If so, respond to Christ in faith by giving your life to Him as your Savior and Lord. Rest assured, you can know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Tell some Christ-honoring people that you have given your life over to Christ. If you just read through this and just now gave your life over to Christ, let me know. Amen! Praise God! There is a celebration in Heaven every time someone gives their life to Christ (Luke 15:10).

Once you have committed to trusting Christ as your Savior and Lord, then how do you live the ‘true life’ in Christ? Worship God, develop the habits of prayer and Bible learning/living, commit to a bible-believing Christ-centered church family, be baptized in water, grow in God’s Word with other believers, serve and help people, communicate this great news of Jesus to nonbelievers, become more like Christ in character and mission, and glorify God in all that you are and do! 

If you have questions about giving your life over to Jesus Christ please ask a Christ-honoring person for guidance, pray to God for help, study God’s Word and apply His Word to your life as the Lord leads. God bless you in your true life in Christ!              

 

Mike Mullins

Identity in Christ

Christian, do you know who you are? What does God’s Word say about you, the facts, the promises? A Christian’s biblical identity comes up a lot in my ministry to Christians because we get so bogged down with our emotions, circumstances, and spiritual blindness from the enemies of God. I just updated my list of many affirming biblical statements about identity in Christ. Here they are:

 

1) I am saved by grace through faith in Christ, Eph. 2:8-9

2) I am born again/of God, John 3:3

3) I am a new creation in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:17

4) I am a spiritual child of God, John 1:12

5) I am adopted as God’s son/daughter in Christ, Eph. 1:5, Gal. 4:6-7

6) I am predestined to be conformed to the likeness of the Son of God, Rom. 8:29

7) I am chosen/elect by God; Eph. 1:5, Col. 3:12

8) I am forgiven; Col. 1:14

9) I am a friend of Christ, John 15:15

10) I am spiritually circumcised by Christ who cuts away my sinful nature, Col. 2:11

11) I am no longer condemned (to God’s eternal wrath; eternal separation from God), Rom. 8:1

12) I am free from any condemning charges against me, Rom. 8:31-34

13) I am God’s purchased possession, redeemed, bought with a price by the blood of the Lamb; 1 Cor. 6:19-20

14) I am protected from the evil one, and rescued from the power of darkness; 1 John 5:18, col. 1:13

15) I am justified through faith in Christ, by His blood; Rom. 5:1, 9

16) I am reconciled with God, 2 Cor. 5:18

17) I am regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5

18) I am baptized by the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 12:13

19) I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-17

20) I am sealed by the Holy Spirit, for the day of redemption, Eph. 1:13, 4:30, 2 Cor. 1:22

21) I am a temple of the living God, 1 Cor. 3:16, 2 Cor. 6:19

22) I am free in Christ from the bondage of sin, Gal. 5:1, 1 Cor. 7:22

23) I am alive in Christ & the Holy Spirit, Eph. 2:5, 1 Pet. 3:18

24) I am a member of the Body of Christ, belonging to Christ and one another, Rom. 12:5, 7:4, 1:6, 14:8; 1 Cor. 12:27

25) I am a member of God’s family, the household of God, Eph. 2:19

26) I am being transformed into the image of the glory of the Lord, into Christ-likeness, 2 Cor. 3:18

27) I am blessed, Gal. 3:9, Eph. 1:3

28) I am God’s field, God’s building, 1 Cor. 3:9

29) I am a citizen of heaven, Phili. 3:20

30) I am an heir of God, Gal. 4:7, 3:29; Rom. 8:17

31) I am gifted by the Holy Spirit; 1 Pet. 4:10, Rom. 12:6

32) I am in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 1:30

33) I am in possession of spiritual understanding from the mind of Christ, 1 Cor. 2:16

34) I am eternal with eternal life from God, John 6:47

35) I am guaranteed an eternal inheritance through the Holy Spirit, Eph. 1:14

36) I am a believer upon Jesus Christ and His Gospel; John 3:16, 6:47

37) I am loved by God, God’s beloved, 1 Thess. 1:4

38) I am healed by the wounds of Jesus, 1 Pet. 2:24

39) I am complete in Christ, Col. 2:10

40) I am becoming the righteousness of God in Christ, 2 Cor. 5:21

41) I am dead to sin, Rom. 6:2, 11

42) I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me, Rom. 8:37

43) I am a victorious overcomer, Rev. 21:7

44) I am a saint, one of God’s own holy people, 1 Cor. 14:33, 1 Cor. 1:2

45) I am joined to the Lord spiritually, 1 Cor. 6:17

46) I am able to access God the Father through God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, Eph. 2:18

47) I am assured that because I love God and am called according to His purpose, all things work together for good, Rom. 8:28

48) I am helped by the Holy Spirit when I pray to God, Rom. 8:28

49) I am inseparable from the Christ’s love, Rom. 8:38-39

50) I am established in Christ, placed on a firm foundation in Him, 2 Cor. 1:21

51) I am hidden with Christ in God (an unseen spiritual reality of eternal life with God), Col. 3:3

52) I am expecting God who began a good work in me to bring it to completion at the day of Christ, Phili. 1:6

53) I am indwelt with a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control, 2 Tim. 1:7

54) I am able to find God’s grace and mercy to help in time of need, Heb. 4:15-16

55) I am able to approach Christ with boldness and confidence through faith in Him, Eph. 3:12

56) I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus Christ, John 5:1

57) I am raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly places, Eph. 2:6

58) I am called by Christ, with a holy calling; Rom. 1:6, 2 Tim. 1:9, 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Pet. 5:9

59) I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Eph. 2:10

60) I am sanctified (set apart from sin to be holy as God is holy), Acts 26:18, 1 Cor. 1:2, 6:11

61) I am a bond-servant/slave to Christ, Rom. 6:22, 1 Cor. 7:22

62) I am God’s fellow worker, a ministry partner with God, 1 Cor. 3:9, 2 Cor. 6:1

63) I am salt and light in Christ in this world, Mt. 5:13-16

64) I am a disciple/student/follower of Christ, Acts 11:26

65) I am an alien, sojourner, foreigner, stranger, pilgrim in this world, 1 Pet. 2:11

66) I am a minister of the new covenant, of the Gospel; 2 Cor. 3:6, 1 Pet. 4:10

67) I am a steward, 1 Pet. 4:10

68) I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me, like be content in whatever the circumstances, Phili. 3:14

69) I am an ambassador for Christ, 2 Cor. 5:20

70) I am in the world but not of the world, John 17:14-18

71) I am anointed by the Holy Spirit for ministry, 2 Cor. 1:21, 1 John 2:20, 27

72) I am appointed to bear spiritual fruit, John 15:16

73) I am a minister of reconciliation for God, 2 Cor. 5:18-20

Christian, this is not an exhaustive biblical description of who you are in Christ, but it sure is a great start, isn’t it? Wow! Over 70 biblical statements about your identity in Christ. You are this and more. Regardless of your circumstances and emotions in life these verses point to your identity in Christ. By faith, trust God and His truth about who you are. Don’t allow emotions, circumstances, and the enemies of God to distract you from who you are in Christ.

If you are not sure what some of these words and phrases mean, then look up the verses and study the contexts of the respective chapters and/or paragraphs, use bible study tools, ask maturing Christians for help and ask God for understanding.  Learn from God’s Word about who you are in Christ, and keep this in your heart and mind throughout life as a promise, assurance and affirmation from God to you. Christian, be encouraged about who you are in Christ, who you are becoming in Christ, and what’s ahead for you in Christ!

And if you are not a Christian and you don’t know how to become a Christian and yet you would like to know more about Christ and what it means to be committed follower of Christ, please check out my blog entry about the great news of Christ: http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-news-gods-plan-for-true-life.html 

Mike Mullins

God Doesn't Play Favorites!

Sometimes my young sons and I play a game on the road when we see Volkswagen Bug cars. The first person to see one of these vehicles punches the nearby person while saying, “Punch Buggy.” Obviously, it’s better that you are the first one who notices a Bug.

Recently, as I was driving into work I noticed a newer Bug but did not have any of my kids with me to play the game, so I hit myself. No, not really. Something did stand out about this particular VW Bug; however. The bumper sticker on the back stated, “Jesus loves you but I am His favorite!”Hmmmm. That statement seems kind of cute at first. Someone in my family actually chuckled a little bit when I shared this later. But biblically, this statement is not fully true.

Yes, Jesus loves you (for example; Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.). There are great examples of Christ’s love in God’s Word (e.g. died for our sins). Proclaiming Christ’s love to the world is a good news truth statement; however, the second part of the bumper sticker phrase “but I am His favorite!” is not backed up by God’s Word. In fact, it goes against what Scripture teaches about God. And just to be clear, theologically, I believe God’s word teaches there is one triune God, one God existing in three Divine Persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. So, when we learn in God’s Word that God does not play favorites, this is true of the eternal Son of God even if His name, position, and title are not specifically identified when God is referenced.  

Consider some Bible verses about God’s impartiality.

Deut. 10:17 ESV For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.  

2 Chron. 19:7 ESVNow then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.  

Job 34:19 ESV who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?  

Acts 10:34 ESV So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
(other translations; NLT uses the phrase “no favoritism” and the KJV: “no respecter of persons.”)  

Romans 2:11 ESV For God shows no partiality.  

Galatians 2:6-7 ESV ⁶ And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised  

Colossians 3:25 ESV For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

1 Peter 1:17 ESV And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

Showing favoritism towards people is a form of discrimination, treating people according to their rank, status, or importance, for example, at the cost of others. I realize at first glance that the phrase ‘respecter of persons’ sounds like a positive thing since it is a good thing to respect people, but this particular phrase is often used in the negative context, especially in God’s Word.  

Here are some examples of favoritism in our culture. When a pastor gives extra preferential treatment toward the church member who tithes 90% compared to the member who tithes 10%, just because the previous one gives more money. Another example involves a father metering out discipline/punishment to his three sons who all lied to their father, except the dad only punishes two of the sons because the other son is his favorite of the three. Then there is the boss who gives extra perks to one of the employees just because they are good friends. This type of favoritism behavior is not God-honoring when we do it and it’s not representative of God’s character and conduct either.  

What would it look like if God showed favoritism? It would be like God thinking this to Himself; “I really like that President of the United States more than that peasant worker in south Asia because he is such a great man and that small potatoes guy is insignificant so I will not judge the President for lying but I will judge the peasant for lying.” Or how about this example: Imagine God thinking this; “I really like that pastor in California more than the one in Timbuktu because he has a huge mega-church and wrote the best-selling book to date and he is Caucasian. I will make his life a lot easier because I like him more.” What? No way. Not happening. God doesn’t play favorites.

God is perfectly Holy and just and righteous. God loves people, sinners. God’s grace and mercy extends to all people. God is not partial in His judgment upon people. And He can’t be bribed by us somehow to act in our favor like He’s some sort of compromising politician, judge, or law enforcement officer. What is truly great news is that salvation is freely given by God’s grace through faith in Christ, for those who believe upon Christ as Savior and Lord. This is true regardless of who you are and your background.  

God doesn’t show favoritism to the rich over the poor or the great over the small or one ethnic group over the other or one gender over another and neither should we (see Rom. 10:12, Gal. 3:28, James 2:1-9).

God doesn't play favorites. So, biblically, the driver of that Bug with the bumper sticker, me, you, none of us are God’s favorite.

What are your thoughts about this?  

Mike