Justification, Guilt, And the Road To Victory ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

Justification, Guilt, And the Road To Victory

Often that which drives a Christian into depression are the feelings of guilt. We see the world through our own eyes of unworthiness toward God. This can lead us to sin, rather than to allow us to rejoice in our position in Christ Jesus. Our road to victory can only be seen fully when we know the truth. When I do not fully grasp the truth that in Christ Jesus I am declared righteous by the blood of Christ which cloaks me, I become guilty of unbelief. That leads to my seeing every trial as a punishment from God, rather than seeing it as His transformative acts of Grace that build my faith.

As D Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out:

Let us remember that our justification means not only that our sins are forgiven and that we have been declared to be righteous by God Himself, not merely that we were righteous at that moment when we believed, but permanently righteous. For justification means this also, that we are given by God the positive righteousness of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what justification means. It does not only mean that your sins are forgiven, but much more. It means that He clothes us also with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He says in effect: “You are righteous; I see, not a sinner, but a righteous child of My own; I see you in Christ covered by His holiness and righteousness”.

And when God does that to us, He does it once and for ever. You are hidden, you yourself and your whole personality and life stand in the righteousness of Christ before God. I say therefore, with reverence and on the authority of the Word of God that God sees your sins no more; He sees the righteousness of Christ upon you. Lay hold of that. [1]

Romans 3: 20-27

Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore, we concluded that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

When we, through faith, accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, our sins (past, present and future) are all forgiven. For Christ died once, bearing all of our sins declaring “It is finished” (John 19:30). Not only is our redemption complete; but, also our justification before God.

Chained by Guilt

When we become chained by guilt, we cannot see our road to victory over sin. For Mom this has been a huge issue. She is tormented by guilt. Perhaps a word misspoken, a deed, or an overwhelming cloud at times; she finds it difficult to rest in the truth of Grace. Chained by guilt, one cannot rejoice in God’s road to victory.

Guilt can be a blessing, just as the law was meant to open our eyes to see the vast divide between God’s perfect Holiness and our sin. However, once our sin is recognized and laid before His throne of grace with a broken and contrite heart, we can confidently walk away knowing we have been forgiven. Not because of our own righteousness; but, rather because of His faithfulness.

Just as God reminded the children of Israel, His blessings did not come to them because of their righteousness. Instead it came because of His Covenant Love and faithfulness. He chose to deal with them by Mercy. Neither do I suggest that we consider our sin, flippantly. To do that means that we really do not understand the gift of grace we have been given.

Focusing on Guilt is Sin

When we are consumed by guilt for sins past, we are guilty of the sin of disbelief. In effect, we are saying that God has not done what He promised. That is, God has not forgiven us fully as He said. He knows that we are frail, earthen vessels incapable of living a righteous life without His power within us. (2 Corinthians 4:7). Yet, if I remain focused on my past sins, I have taken my eyes off of Him and remain focused on me. Certainly, that will lead to more failures.

Only when I take my eyes off of me, focus on His Road to Victory at the cross, can I hope to sin less. It is His power within me. To do that I must take my eyes off of me through reading His Word, learning of Him, and falling in love with Him fresh each morning. The road to victory in my own life, is His Power in me. That power is released through prayer and a day by day relationship with Him.

For more information regarding feelings of guilt please see the previous post.

Twitter quotes

[bctt tweet=”When we become chained by guilt, we cannot see our road to victory over sin nor rejoice in God’s Grace” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]When consumed by guilt for sins past we are guilty of the sin of disbelief[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”When we through faith accept Jesus Christ as our Savior our sins (past, present and future) are all forgiven Christ died once bearing all of our sins declaring “It is finished”” username=”effiedarlene”]

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