“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[ free from the law of sin and death.“
Romans 8:1-2

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The weight of all the wrong I had done threatened to crush me. How could I dare hope that God could forgive me? Feelings of guilt hounded my every waking moment. I went to church. I read my Bible. I prayed over and over for God to forgive me, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t enough. That it might never be enough. Maybe God could forgive other people, but not me. These overwhelming feelings of guilt seemed confirmation enough, and my life ground to a halt as I withdrew from family and friends. I felt utterly cut off and alone.

Maybe you’ve been there too. Perhaps you carry deep regrets about things you did in the past, or perhaps you’re struggling against a secret temptation nobody else knows about. It can be easy to believe that God’s grace can only go so far, that it extends to others but not us.

But the reality is that our feelings are notoriously unreliable. Whenever we find ourselves questioning God’s love and forgiveness, it is important to focus on the truth that God speaks to us in His Word.

When I was at my lowest, God spoke to me through Romans 8:1. In this verse, we are told that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” That voice of accusation condemning you for what you’ve done does not come from God. While God does convict us and call us to repentance, He is not our accuser—He is our redeemer. He meant it when He said that it is finished.

If you ever find yourself believing the lie that you are too far gone, remember to preach the Gospel to yourself. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. In Him, we are saved, redeemed, and restored.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Have you ever struggled with feelings of condemnation?
  • Where do you think those feelings come from?
  • What are some Scripture verses that we can turn to in moments when we feel condemned?

Church Reading Plan: Proverbs 26; 1 Thessalonians 5