GUILT FREE!

By: Dennis Harworth

As I walked into the crowded courtroom, I could sense the intensity of anxiousness and dread that filled the room.  Each person was waiting for their case to be heard in front of the judge.  Although it was only a traffic court, the outcome could be detrimental to a person’s livelihood or their possible future employment as a driver.  I realized this, but I knew I had obeyed the traffic laws.  The citing officer had assumed a violation had occurred without actually seeing it.  Granted, I was nervous in presenting my case, but much to my relief, the case was dismissed.

Now imagine yourself in the courtroom with God as the righteous, holy, omniscient Judge sitting upon the throne.  Satan, the accuser, faces you and reads your complete list of your failures – every sin, every evil thought, every ungodly word, every sinful deed and secret act.  You know you have no defense because the evidence against you is undeniably true.  You are overwhelmed with guilt and hang your head in shame.  Then, suddenly a door opens.  The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ walks in.  His nail-pierced hands are extended to you in order to settle you down and comfort you.  His look of love tells you, “It’s all right.  I’ve got this”.  He turns to the Judge and says, “Father, I have paid the price for this one already.”  Jesus comes up to you and gently says, “You are covered with My righteousness, so you are in Me now.”  The gavel strikes, echoing through the courtroom as the just Judge firmly declares, “Not guilty. Case dismissed.”  Then, these words you will hear now and throughout eternity:

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

It took me a long time to realize every born-again believer has this verdict pronounced over us.  Romans 8:1 proclaims a triumphant declaration, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”  This means God did not just forgive you; He removed your guilt completely. (Psalm 103:12).  For the cross did not cancel just your sin; it canceled your condemnation.

This promise of “no condemnation” is conditional however.  It only applies to those who are in Christ Jesus and live according to the Spirit.  This means by being “in Christ Jesus” is to be united with Him by faith, believing and trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection.  Living according to the Spirit means a daily surrender of sin and selfish desires by letting the Holy Spirit lead you and guide you in the ways of God.  Then you won’t be habitually doing what your sinful nature craves. (Galatians 5:16 NLT).

You have to grasp this by faith.  You now no longer have to struggle as a condemned sinner feeling unworthy and unloved, but as a child of God that has been redeemed and accepted in His grace.  Gone are the days you live under a shadow of guilt and shame from past failures that the devil and even your friends and family keep reminding you.  The verdict of guilty has been removed through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross.  This is why when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong. (1 John 1:9).  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there is no condemnation – past, present, or future!  How amazing is this?! 

The Lord reminded me that the guilt free attitude I had from my court case, is the same attitude every believer should know with this freedom from condemnation.  You will be greatly relieved that the gavel of Heaven has sounded.  You are declared not guilty, your case has been dismissed, and all your spiritual failures will be as if they never happened! (Romans 3:24).  You can now live by God’s grace, not with guilt.  You can enjoy living in freedom, without fear.  So, when guilt knocks on your door, you can answer it with grace.  When shame whispers your history, you can remind it of your position in Christ Jesus.  And when the fear of judgment threatens your peace; or others remind you of your past – you can stand firm in the truth that you are -- GUILT FREE!