Love God Greatly: Shame BreakerНамуна

Romans 8:1-2 may contain some of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture. It means Jesus took your past, all of it, paid the penalty for you and counted you as righteous. You have a clean slate; every day is a new beginning. 

There are earthly consequences for our actions and words, but our souls are no longer condemned; the wrath of God does not burn against us. Jesus dealt with all of it. It holds no power. Do not let your past have control over you. If Jesus forgave you, you can forgive yourself. When we are confident in our standing before God— confident in His forgiveness—we can offer forgiveness and grace to others. 

Our pasts—regardless of what they contain—are forgiven. We can rest in the freedom we have in Christ. We are not covered in shame, because Christ bore our shame for us. We can live in the confidence that we are free from sin, standing firm in temptation because we have received His freedom. 

Lord, I know You have forgiven me of my sins, yet I also struggle with unbelief when I remember some of the terrible things I have done and said. Help me believe You are greater than my sin, and Your forgiveness is total and complete. Amen.