"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Paul in Romans 8:1-2

 June 5

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death." - Paul in Romans 8:1-2 (RSV)

Have you ever felt ashamed of something? Most of us have done something at one time or another that we felt guilty about or were ashamed of. Others may have condemned us, but if not, we may still be condemning ourselves. Whether we are carrying false guilt or real guilt, Paul makes the amazing claim in today's scripture reading that Christ Jesus has the power to free us from any and all condemnation and sin. What incredible Good News this is to anyone carrying the weight of shame and blame or still trapped in destructive or addictive behaviors. Yet without Jesus forgiveness, love, and liberation from shame and guilt, we would have no hope at all. But thank God, the Lord has declared us "not guilty" and has offered us freedom from guilt, shame, sin, and death and the power to do God's will!

Paul, of all people, understood this gift of "freedom from condemnation" the best as he was the guiltiest of people after participating in persecutions of Christians and the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Yet when Paul, the legalistic Pharisee, encountered the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, he became Paul, the Apostle of Freedom. He was a changed man after experiencing the love and forgiveness of Christ and became the most successful Christian missionary ever. Without Paul we would not have almost half of our New Testament today and our world could be very different.

Is there is something today you have been carrying or are ashamed of? Do you have times when you are trapped in self-condemnation? If you are suffering with any unresolved guilt, don't hesitate to take it to Jesus and leave it there in our Lord's arms. Christ can take your worst guilt and unresolved issues of shame and blame and replace them with that peace of God which passes all understanding. By doing so, the life-giving Holy Spirit can flow through you with the assurance and power needed to live a triumphant Christian life anytime and in any place. Remember, no matter what you have done, God still loves you!

Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for your gift of forgiveness and freedom from shame, sin, and self-condemnation. Release me today. Amen

Meditation For The Day: Condemnation humiliates. Jesus liberates.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)