One of the biggest problems in my life has been to do with condemnation.
Well into my late teens and twenties my sense of worth was constantly ebbing and flowing. Sometimes I would feel as though I was loved by Christ and that was all that mattered. Other times I would be very insecure, cut off, with a sense that I was worthless worthy of the ultimate condemnation. When people would be critical of me for something or another, I could be externally defensive, but internally I would absorb it as reinforcing my complete lack of worth on the planet.
I am not writing that the complete turnaround has taken place and those dark days are gone forever. I am writing to testify that through His love and patience and the good people that He brought around me at various stages in my life’s journey, I am recognising more and more that when Paul wrote that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – that’s not a catchphrase to wheel out to get an ‘amen’ or a buzz to feel-good – that is a truth of life in Christ that changes perspectives enormously.
That truth has particularly been helpful to me in this current season of my life as I undergo further transitions. The shadows of doubt and insecurity have crept in corners and lurked waiting to emerge, but the light of God’s love in Christ has overcome them through gestures from my children, conversations with my enduring wife and other brothers and sisters and in some of the blogs that I read regularly.
It is to one of those blogs that I have to hail up as being hugely helpful for me. Eric over at A Pilgrim’s Progress put together this outstanding piece called Don’t Feel Guilty where he encouraged those on their journey in Christ which leads to intriguing paths of righteousness and who may feel guilty because of the consequences of that path. I cannot strongly recommend it enough, whether you’re on that path or not, to remind you of what the faith journey in Christ should be all about and how even in the pain and confusion there is no need to feel guilty if the truth of the matter remains Jesus is the priority.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 