There is no condemnation in Christ: recognizing guilt in relation to mental health

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Many people associate Christianity with a list of moral rules. These rules might be: don't sleep together before you get married, don't swear, go to church every Sunday and sometimes in between, don't drink wine, etc.

The truth is there are a lot of principles in the Bible for us to live by. In the Old Testament the Israelites were given the 10 commandments to live by. Also contained in the Old Testament books are many rules about what people could do on the Sabbath, the food they could eat etc. This gives us a picture of the holiness of God – how perfect He is. But the trouble with the law is that no one can keep it. None of us are that perfect. We need to discern between the law (rules) and grace.  Romans 3:20 states “therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

Most of us come to salvation in Christ because we realize our need for a Savior. On our hearts is imprinted the accusations of our own sin.

Derek Prince writes, “The law causes condemnation. The Law keeps us under Satan’s dominion. The Law brings a curse. The Law produces a double enmity: between God and man; and between those under the Law and those not.” (By Grace Alone: Finding Freedom and purging legalism from your life)

Even though I believe that we aren't under the law now, I still struggle with feelings of condemnation at times. Perhaps you do too.

Some examples are be

• Feeling guilt for missing a church service because after all Hebrews 10:25 says we need to fellowship together.
• Telling harmless jokes to a friend could also bring feelings of guilt. Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.
• Guilt for losing our temper with our child, spouse, or coworker. After all we are exhorted to be self-controlled in 2 Peter 1:5-7
• What about going up to a cash register and the total being $5.02 but you only have a $5 . The cashier says that it's ok but you feel guilty because you are ‘stealing’ 2cents. That might sound like a more extreme situation but some Christians struggle with that.

For some the law may provide a measure of comfort because it tells us what God expects. But the living by the law also causes us to look inward to our own sin rather than looking upward for strength and grace from the Lord.

The question then arises – if we aren't trying to do all the things the Bible tells us to do won't we be just like the world?

There are two things that we must remember

1. When Christ came He said that the two commandments we should live by are to love God and love your neighbor. (Matthew 22:37-40)
2. We have been given the Holy Spirit. He is the character of God. Living on the inside of us. If we learn to commune with Him more, tune our heart to listen He will change us to be conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29). The Christian life is not about us trying to make ourselves look like Gods standard of perfection, it is about letting Him change us.

Life coach moment

What areas of your Christian life cause you to feel guilty?

In what ways do you think you are living under the law? Or trying to please God based on works?

If it is some area of repeated sin such as intense anger, unfaithfulness in marriage or other issues it is important to seek help and accountability.

Renew your mind in truth

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

God doesn't expect you to become sinless by being the perfect Christian. He already says that you are righteous because of the blood of Christ.

We need to spend less time trying to earn His favor and spend more time living out of that identity. Click To Tweet When we know from the bottom of our hearts that we are loved, accepted and called righteous by God we will begin to live much more so out of who He says we are.

 Prayer

Thank you Lord that I do not have to live by the law. I know that I am not able to attain holiness by my works, but that You have called me righteous because I have been received Your Son. Help me to reject condemnation and receive the love that You pour into my heart. My desire is to live empowered by Your Spirit. Amen.

Self-talk Point* 

I believe that God became sin for me and that I am righteous because of the blood of Christ. Therefore, I do not live under condemnation.

Note* This is a new feature I am adding this week. As we learn principles we have to learn how to interact with our thoughts and feelings. Literally we have to speak truth to our thoughts.

For more on the topic of guilt check out

What is the difference between false guilt and conviction of the Holy Spirit

Do you feel guilty for struggling with anxiety and depression