Not Guilty – Fearless Living

God promises that our faith in Christ will redeem us from our sins and leave us pure and holy. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can claim be presented to God as justified and free from sin. Wow! that is a big deal and a good deal for you and me!

Why is this so important to you and me? To be justified means to be declared ‘not guilty’ and to be acquitted of wrong doing or shown to be innocent. Because of our sin nature we are guilty before God and can do nothing to help ourselves. We can’t do enough good works or be really good and earn enough ‘points’ to be declared worthy or clean before God. All you have to do is look around you to see that people do wrong things all the time even when they don’t really mean or want to. Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” is pretty plain that all mankind are sinners. However, let’s look at verse 24, “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”. We are all sinners but saved by Jesus because He declares us ‘not guilty’ though His work on the cross. It is a gift to us through His grace when we believed in Him. We did nothing to deserve it. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our faith in Jesus brings us into a relationship with God that is peace filled and free from the guilt and burden of our sin. Martin Luther declared many centuries ago that we are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone and by faith alone. Christ did all the work to save us and justify us before God.

As I think about this, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Jesus saved me from condemnation and declared me ‘not guilty’ before our heavenly Father. I will no longer be subject to the penalty I really deserve for my sins which is eternal death. I am also now open to God’s peace and can let it fill me each day as I rest in His eternal redemption. Praise God! How about you? Are you resting in Jesus? Let these final days of Lent be a time of peace, filling as you praise to Jesus for his sacrifice and His declaring you Not Guilty before God.

Eternally grateful for His justification and peace,

Linda

Psalm 19 is like a balm to the soul as we are reassured over and over of the purity and rightness of God’s Word. Even though we are flawed and are prone to sin, we can seek God and depend upon Him. His Word is our guide and plumb line for actions and reactions as we dive into its depths and soak in its truths. David concludes with his declaration to follow God in words and deeds because God is his savior and Lord. I hope that we can claim the same for ourselves.

Psalm 19:7-14 God’s Words is…...

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, perfect
    reviving the soul. reviving
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, trustworthy
    making wise the simple. simply wise
⁸The commandments of the Lord are right, right
    bringing joy to the heart. create joy
The commands of the Lord are clear, clear
    giving insight for living. insightful
⁹Reverence for the Lord is pure, pure
    lasting forever. everlasting
The laws of the Lord are true; true
    each one is fair. just
¹⁰They are more desirable than gold, desirable
    even the finest gold. refined
They are sweeter than honey, sweet
    even honey dripping from the comb. honey filled
11 They are a warning to your servant, give warning
    a great reward for those who obey them. rewarding

¹²How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Man is… sinful
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults. in need of cleansing
¹³Keep your servant from deliberate sins! willful
    Don’t let them control me. weak willed
Then I will be free of guilt God provides….. freedom
    and innocent of great sin. proclaimed innocence

¹⁴May the words of my mouth David’s conclusion
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

David’s conclusion was that he needs God and desires to walk with Him. He realized that God’s Word is a great asset or resource and has the help he needs to walk with God. God’s Word is powerful and can change lives. I pray that I all have this same attitude. Look to God’s Word daily for strength, guidance, hope and encouragement.

As I look this list over myself, I am thankful for scripture and the great help it provides for my daily living. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we have help to understand and apply scripture to our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. If Christ had not died, the Holy Spirit would not have come. But He did and is now our Helper! John 14:25-26 ““All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 16:8-11“When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹about sin, because people do not believe in me; ¹⁰about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; ¹¹and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” We can live confidently knowing that scripture is not beyond our understanding and that the Holy Spirit will teach us what we need to know to live godly lives.

Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit.

Linda