The Most Wonderful Blessing is Being Declared NOT GUILTY
Do you KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus?
If you do, you have been declared NOT GUILTY and carry within you life’s most wonderful blessing.
Romans 8 is full of favorite verses for Jesus’ followers, and it’s easy to understand. It begins with the following…
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:1–2
What do the words “no condemnation” mean?
That anyone who has surrendered their lives to Jesus, through humble repentance offered in faith, has been declared NOT GUILTY!
Imagine yourself standing before God’s throne of judgment, with your head hanging down and your heart filled with guilt and shame, knowing you deserve the death penalty.
When suddenly, Jesus comes and stands beside you stating, “This one is mine! Their debt has been paid in full, and their offense has been erased.”
You’re overwhelmed, and slowly lift your head to face the Judge, who smiles, looks straight into your eyes, and shouts, “NOT GUILTY. You are free!”
You didn’t deserve it, and no personal payment or penalty could have earned it. No matter how hard you tried, no matter how hard I have tried, we carry a sinful nature within us, causing an internal spiritual battle between the good we want to do and the evil we give in to.
So Paul continued…
The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
Romans 8:3
The One you and I sinned against is the One who paid our debt and set us free.
Do you find it difficult to forgive the people who have hurt you deeply? Is it hard to release someone who brought life-changing pain into your life? Believe me, your circumstances may be different, but the ongoing pain is understood.
When the enemy brings the pain to mind, tempting me to chew on unforgiveness, the Spirit reminds me of my sins and what they cost Jesus. And when my head begins to hang in shame again, that same Spirit plays the image of the courtroom scene, and I hear Him say, “Remember, you are ‘NOT GUILTY’ by grace! Forgive as you have been forgiven. Enjoy your freedom and live at peace.”
That’s the end of sin’s control. It is the freedom to forgive as we have been forgiven and humbly live with a desire to TRUST and OBEY.
All by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s the best, most important blessing in life!
Let’s pray…
A Prayer Thanking God for Declaring Us
NOT GUILTY in JESUS
Father, I come to You humbled by my sins and overwhelmed by Your mercy. Once again, I confess and acknowledge that I deserve Your punishment now and eternally. But Your Word tells me that through my repentance and faith in Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I am declared NOT GUILTY.
It fills my heart with appreciation and love to think that a life broken by sin can be made whole because Your Son claims it for His own. It is more than my heart and mind can understand that He would come beside me and say, “This one belongs to me. Her debt is paid. Her punishment served.
Thank you for Your Spirit. I would not have willingly turned from my selfish pride if Your Spirit had not brought Your TRUTH into my life. I’m so very thankful. Because of who You are and all You’ve done, I surrender myself to You. It is my greatest desire to TRUST and OBEY You in all things.
I know I will fail to do it perfectly no matter how hard I try, but with Your Spirit’s help, I pray that much of what I say and do will glorify You. I want to share Your love and let everyone KNOW that they too, might be declared NOT GUILTY and SET FREE for the rest of forever.
I love You, Abba Father! Hear my prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Here are a few quotes to encourage you…
“True Christians consider themselves not as satisfying some rigorous creditor, but as discharging a debt of gratitude.” ~ Wilbur Wilberforce
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
Psalm 103:11–12
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
“God’s love is an exercise of his goodness toward sinners who merit only condemnation.” ~ J. I. Packer
May we all take time today to celebrate God’s grace, the love of Jesus, and the gift of faith, all of which give us the wonderful blessing of being declared NOT GUILTY!
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Celebrating God’s grace through Jesus who resoundingly declares, “Not guilty!” Oh, what a blessing and freedom we have in that. Blessings, Deb!
We truly are blessed, Martha! God be with you, dear friend!
I am so grateful that Jesus deems me “not guilty.” There are so many times that I wish I could deem me not guilty. Confession is a good thing. It is so wonderful to have the Holy Spirit to lead us and give us a conscience to help us obey.
I am thankful for such a loving and forgiving God.
God Bless you, my friend. Prayers and hugs are coming your way every day.
Me too, Sue! Knowing my guilt and God’s grace definitely reminds me of the importance of being humble. I’m a mess, yet the Lord is so gracious and good. We are so abundantly blessed! Hugs to you, dear friend!