Sunday, February 1, 2009

Condemnation vs. Conviction

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

That is the verse I'm memorizing the first 2 weeks of February. I'm doing the scripture memorization challenge from the LPM blog although I haven't actually signed up for it. So I guess I'm not officially participating, but participating all the same.

I've recently been able to put a name on the feelings I've been having. Condemnation. Not conviction from the Lord. But condemnation from the enemy.

Perhaps you've felt it too and didn't really know what it was. That feeling of not measuring up. Of thinking you'll never have a powerful quiet time like so-and-so does. Or you aren't worthy of blessings from the Lord. Or if anyone knew your past they would never look at you the same.

Or that because God DOES know your past and your thoughts He doesn't love you like He loves somebody else who seems to have it all together.

Here's a little clue I've received lately that you may or may not know.

NO ONE has it all together.

Not me, not you, not your friend who never seems to yell at her kids. Not your boss, not your pastor, not your Bible study leader.

NO one. Because we are all human. And we all mess up. But we ALL by the grace of God have the same chance to be saved from our crazy past (and present and future) sins and live in FREEDOM!

Salvation means freedom! Freedom from condemnation. Freedom from trying to do it all by yourself. Freedom in life and freedom in death.

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

7 comments:

Melissa said...

And praise the Lord that no one has it all together because it really would be hard to live in that shadow! Thanks for sharing your heart. Love you! :)

Deidre said...

No One has it all together - AMEN! What a relief!

I love this verse! I hate that condemnation from the enemy, but fall victim to it so often.

Go ahead and sign up. I love the accountability.

Rebecca Jo said...

Oh girl.... I needed to hear this message so badly today!

Ashleigh said...

Thanks Jen! I needed that! Your friend Ashleigh LOVES you!

Faith said...

Amen sista! I am so thankful for this promise and the freedom that comes with it. We have been set free and I pray that we would stand firm and not submit to the yoke of slavery in this area. Oh, the enemy knows how to attack, but he has been defeated!

We are FREE!!!! Love that and love you too!

MiMi said...

I have fallen into this condemnation trap of the enemy's so many times and I definitely needed this reminder that NO ONE has it all together. Thank you for reminding me that the enemy is a defeated foe!

I love this verse!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely agree with you that nobody has it all together, regardless of how perfect they look from the outside. :)