Thoughts On Guilt

Thoughts On Guilt ...

Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ." It amazes me, how we have it there in black and white, yet we live most of our day under condemnation; either self imposed, or heaped on us by others. Jesus told the righteous men gathered around to stone the woman caught in adultery, "let the one without sin throw the first stone at her." When they left he spoke the woman, "Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "And Jesus replied, "Then neither do I condemn you."

If Jesus did not condemn the woman, clearly breaking one of the beloved commandments, then why is it we allow ourselves to fall under such condemnation? In his book "No Condemnation," Bruce Narramore writes, "As I studied the dynamics of guilt and conscience I soon realized how many problems in Christian life relate to guilt. The discouraged, defeated Christian, the perpetual alter-goer who never feels secure in his Christian life, the religious legalist who rigidly orders his own life and finds it easier to condemn others than to love them, and the rebellious adolescent from a highly religious home, have all been touched by guilt. So, too, have many who have lost the vitality they once had in their Christian faith and who have seen that love replaced by religious ritual and orthodoxy devoid of personal meaning ... we heap unneeded condemnation on ourselves and other sensitive people and impose a burden that interferes with the freedom we could have in Christ."

It's a form of control exercised over someone or some group in order to manipulate them into a partucular way of thinking. Don't buy it! We have freedom from all of that junk. Don't sit there and take it anymore. It's not the life God intended for us. Walk away, and step into the arms of a loving God who rescues us, not condemns us.

There Is No Switzerland

Just the other day I was really struggling with my "job" and where it's not going ... And I asked this question ... "What is my strength" ... "what do I feel like is my offering to the fold ... "

I don't consider myself a writer as much as I think of myself as a "minister of encouragement" through the pen -- my weapon is what comes through me onto paper (computer screen). I KNOW that much -- and it seems that most of my subtle attacks from the enemy are things that keep me from doing that ... little mud puddles, little distractions ... little assumed obligations ... all the way to full blow doubt and fear. And then when I "lob a grenade" with my writings as they go out -- the dragon turns on me and opens fire ... both barrels ...

So my task is to learn to keep my shield up and sword ready -- you can't attack without preparing for the counter attack -- you can't advance without opposition -- so that is my challenge ... I have a tendency to attack in the spiritual realm, and then retreat to the earthly realm, and expect I'll be safe there ... wrong!

I'm learning I need to keep my guns pointed and loaded, and my finger on the trigger -- keep firing ... After all, there is no Switzerland.