Living Free - June 19, 2013
I Am Forgiven
Today's Scripture
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Thoughts for Today
Condemnation. A distorted reflection . . . and a lie.
We confess our sins to Jesus and He forgives us. When we become a follower of Jesus Christ, He forgives all our past sin. As Christians, when we fall into sin, the Bible promises that if we confess that sin, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
And yet, we persistently hang on to the guilt. We condemn ourselves and sometimes allow others to condemn us. If we can get our eyes off the expectations of others and ourselves and look into the mirror of God's Word, we will see ourselves as God sees us--forgiven, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Here are a few of the reflections found in the Bible--there are many more.
- I am righteous through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:9)
- Christ made me right with God. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
- God declares that through Jesus we have been made righteous. (Romans 3:23-24)
Look into God's mirror. He sees you as forgiven and righteous!
Consider this …
Are you struggling with condemnation? It can weigh you down, depress you, fill you with fear, and keep you from doing what God has called you to do. God wants us to repent and seek forgiveness. He wants us to try to make things right with others when that is possible. And then He wants us to move on. To learn from our mistakes, but not to dwell on them. He wants us to see ourselves through His eyes--forgiven and righteous.
Father, I thank you that Jesus paid the price for my sins. Thank you that when I repented and confessed my sins to you, you forgave me and cleansed me. Because of Jesus, I am righteous in your eyes. Please help me see myself through your eyes. Help me to walk in the peace of knowing that I am forgiven. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
Seeing Yourself in God's Image: Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia by Martha Homme, MA, LPC. Written by a counselor with experience helping those with eating disorders, this study is born from her own struggles in adolescence. The group challenges members to find their identity in Christ as they overcome this difficult struggle. This guide offers understanding of distorted body image, denial, and the family systems influence. It also explains how to break free of social pressures and how to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together. A companion booklet Seeing Your Loved One in God's Image, can be used as a quick reference guide dealing with issues associated with eating disorders. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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