Living Free - Apr. 18, 2008
Today's Scripture
”So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.“ Romans 8:1 NLT
Thoughts for Today
According to Merriam-Webster condemnation means the state of being declared reprehensible, wrong or evil, pronounced guilty. Conviction, on the other hand, means the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth, the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth.
Condemnation puts us under a heavy weight of guilt with no apparent way out. Conviction reveals truth to us and motivates us to confess and turn from sin.
Christ does not condemn us for who we are or what we have done. He paid the price for our wrong doing by dying on the cross. When we turn from our sin and turn to him, he forgives and totally accepts us. Our righteousness is not based on what we’ve done, but on what Jesus has done for us.
Condemnation pushes us away from God. If you are feeling condemned by your heart or other people, it is not of God! Conversely, conviction leads us toward God—and hope. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and draws us to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. (Read John 16:8.)
Consider this…
Are you allowing other people’s comments and attitudes toward you to put you under condemnation? Have you become a people-pleaser to avoid their rejection and criticism?
God may sometimes work through other people to guide you in his way—but those people will not condemn you and insist you do things their way. They will encourage you to seek God and do things his way.
Prayer…
Father, I sometimes come under condemnation because of what other people have said. Thank you that condemnation and the hopelessness it brings does not come from you. Help me to recognize it for what it is and not allow myself to stay under that condemnation. Please help me to be sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit when I fall into error and to be quick to turn from the wrongdoing. In Jesus’ name …
These thoughts were drawn from…
Lessons Learned: Moving from Homosexuality to Holiness by Tammy Webb-Witholt. We live in a broken and fallen world; our brokenness extends to the depths of our emotions, our souls, and our sexuality. This small group curriculum by Tammy Webb-Witholt deals with moving from a homosexual lifestyle into a vital growing relationship with Jesus Christ. This study …
Shows that the goal is not only to move from homosexuality into heterosexuality. The goal of our lives as followers of Christ is to come into His holiness.
Shows that our journey of faith in Christ, whatever the depth of our brokenness, sexual or otherwise, is not to merely stop being one thing in order to become another.
Shows that the goal of each day is to grow toward Christ. God by the power of His Holy Spirit and the truth of His Holy Word transforms us into a new creation.
Shows the holiness is used in the truest definition of the word holy meaning to be "set apart" for God.
Although this study is written primarily for people coming out of a homosexual lifestyle, it deals with biblical principles that can help each of us experience a deeper walk with Christ.
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.
