Satan
loves to use condemnation to defeat God’s Saints. His condemnation causes us to
sink into the quicksand of shame with no visible way out. We see our faults and
are burdened by our failings. Satan plants lies in our soul during each
perceived failing; and we readily believe them, because of our feelings of hopelessness.
God,
on the other hand, does not condemn us, He convicts us. Conviction reveals our
guilt with a desire for repentance. Repentance means to turn away from sin and move
toward holiness. Even if we never commit some gross sin of immorality or
murder, we are still sinners (Romans 3:23). No amount of good works or self-effort can
free us from the penalty of our sins.
Trusting
in Jesus is our only means of salvation (John 14:6). His Holy Spirit breathes God’s breath
of life into us and our spirit is no longer dead in sin. We completely
surrendered our goals, dreams and aspiration in life to God’s will for us (Ephesians 2:10). We serve God with authentic devotion each moment of the day. We no longer desire
a life of worldly pursuits and willful sin.
God’s Spirit converts our sinful nature to the mind of
Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We realize that God’s presence is within us and the Holy Spirit is
sanctifying us. We are truly saved from hell and going to heaven (2 Corinthians 13:5-6; Lamentations 3:40-42). God removes our condemnation by washing us as clean as snow, and giving us
a new heart and spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for washing us clean, and giving us
righteous desires and Your Spirit to direct us (Colossians 2:13-15). Thank You also that
Jesus nailed our sins to the cross and blotted out the charges proved against
us. Remind us not to live for You in our human effort. Help us to allow Christ
to richly dwell in us as Your Body, so that whatever we do in word or deeds, it
is all done for Your glory and honor (Colossians 3:16-18).
Thought for the Day:
God took away Satan's power over our life and openly
displayed to the whole world the triumph of Christ over Him; so that there is
no longer any condemnation for those who love God and who are called to serve
Him in His purpose for our life. – Romans 8:1; Colossians 2:15
