Article By Cheryl Summers // EEW Magazine // Empowerment

Every Christian on earth, despite the depth of their love for Jesus, fails to do things right at times. Yet, many believers beat themselves up over character deficiencies and shortcomings. Do you?

If so, it is not the will of God for you to be a prisoner of guilt and shame. Jesus Christ, who died to free you from condemnation, has made provision for all of your sins—past, present and future—and offers you His abundant grace.

If you need help releasing guilt in exchange for grace, here are 5 scriptures to help you:

1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It doesn’t really matter what you’ve done. Just don’t deny it. Admit you made an error. Repent. Don’t just say, I’m sorry, but mean it and then turn away from that behavior. God will not withhold His forgiveness, nor will He hold your mistakes over your head.

Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Christians have the best insurance; we are covered by the blood of Jesus. It is because of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection that we are free from paying the penalty of sin. This redemption, this great salvation we enjoy, is because Jesus really did pay it all. That’s why there is no need to fear divine judgement or wrath.

1 John 2:1-2 (NIV) “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” If you’ve been caught with your hand in the metaphorical cookie jar, giving into temptations and forbidden desires, so have many of us. Nobody is perfect but Jesus. So receive His grace, the undeserved favor of God. We all need it!

Romans 8:1 (ESV) “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God’s mercy is never in short supply. It is abundant and never runs out. If you have messed up and repented, know that Jesus will plead your case before God and ensure your forgiveness. Guilt and condemnation are not from Him. Salvation is a free gift. Just open your heart and receive it.  

Psalm 130:3-4 (ESV) “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” If God made it His business to remember all of our sins and judge us accordingly, no one would be saved. We would all burn in hell together. But thanks be to God, by His grace and for His glory, He has forgiven us for every transgression.

Understand this: Even though we serve a God of justice and sin requires that a penalty be paid, Jesus already paid that penalty on the cross of Calvary. Once you accept Christ, when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your mistakes, He sees the blood of Jesus, which exonerates you.

If you have made a blunder, get up, dust yourself off, confess and repent, and know that your Heavenly Father still loves you, accepts you and has a greater plan for your life.

He delights to see you living in the freedom He has granted, so walk in it.