"Beyond Guilt"

Day #113 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Your beliefs about these things should be kept secret between you and God. People are happy if they can do what they think is right, without feeling guilty." Romans 14:22 NCV

"Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong." (Romans 14:22-23 MSG)

"You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning." (Romans 14:22-23 NLT)
 
Checking out the same verse in different translations is always a good thing... because sometimes translations change word meanings around, or the intent of what is being said is changed as well. Judging others is a huge topic of discussion in the world and in the church unfortunately. There are absolute truths about 'sin', yet there are also those things which we may deem 'bad' or 'sinful' for our own selves, or our family. We cannot force those beliefs onto others. We should not make ourselves feel guilty, nor should we make others feel guilty about their choices. Guilt is not of the Father. We do need to follow our own convictions regarding the absolute truth given from the Father through His Word -- but we still cannot judge nor apply guilt to those who aren't following the truths from His Word. God's answer to sin and guilt is FORGIVENESS. We need to apply the same forgiveness to those around us. But our worldly forgiveness is not at all like the forgiveness of the Father. He loves and forgives us unconditionally, without reservation and totally completely -- we in the world hold grudges and our natural carnal self enjoys throwing 'guilt' in people's faces. We don't truly 'forgive and forget'. Being a part of the 'Facebook' social thing allows you to see the status' and comments from others, which include those that wish to imply guilt and the likes. A status line from one of my 'friends' says this today, "it is best to forgive and forget then to live with regret so I'll forgive you and forget you so I won"t have to regret falling for your bs..." and it got me thinking regarding this 'Beyond Guilt' devotional. We are not meant to live with regret, nor with guilt. Forgiveness is forgiveness... what we forgive, who we forgive, how many times we forgive, all affect the Father's forgiveness for us. He is a God of love and forgiveness, mercy and grace -- yet if we choose to leave others with regret, guilt and shame, it's hard for the Father to show His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness towards us. Sin cannot be in the same presence as the Father -- Feelings of guilt and shame cause us to 'miss the mark', so they infact cause us to sin. Sin is not just 'doing or being involved in the bad things', it is also 'not doing the good things' that He has called us to do.
 
If you have feelings of guilt or shame (or other sinful thoughts & feelings), lay them down at the foot of the cross this Easter weekend. God sent His Son Jesus to die for those 'sinful' feelings & more --  Just allow the power of God the Father to work through you, through the precious blood of His Son Jesus, and the overwhelming presence, power and love of Holy Spirit. Let Him overtake your body, mind, soul and spirit cleansing you throughout, so that you may RISE AGAIN (just as Jesus did) in the newness of life.
 

 
"One of satan's most effective ploys is to make us believe that we are small, insignificant and worthless" (Susan Lenzkes) -- But remember God's best gift (His Son Jesus) proves that we are indeed worth more than that, and that he himself (satan) is under our feet, which makes him small, insignificant and worthless. We need to stop giving satan more power and strength than he has.
 
Enjoy this blessed EASTER weekend, remembering ALL that God has done for you, and think of all the great things that He can and will continue to do for you!
 
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!