Accusation & Justification: I Hear Voices in My Head

The Crow (1994) - Film of Accusation and Vengeance

READ: Mark 2:1-12

“Your sins are forgiven.” My dear friends, the gospel in four words. 

But do you really believe it? Is your life now totally guilt-free? Do you live unashamed, hiding nothing, knowing that all is forgiven and you are loved in spite of your past?

Not quite? Me neither. 

But Jesus says it’s all forgiven. Lost your temper? Forgiven. Gossip? Forgiven. Divorced? Forgiven. Premarital sex? Forgiven. Came off as too judgmental while writing a devotional? Forgiven!!!

Then why do we still feel guilty? According to Revelation 12, Satan accuses us day and night and leads the whole world astray. He tells us we’re not forgiven.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Film of Justification & Forgiveness

Yet the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins. And, boy, does he:

Alcoholic? Forgiven. Drug addict? Forgiven. Adulterer? Forgiven. Homosexual? Forgiven. Murderer? Forgiven. Pedophile? Forgiv   

“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming!”

Is he? Or is it true that no one can condemn us because Christ Jesus died for us and is also interceding for us? (Romans 8:33-34)

Do we then have a free pass to sin? 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

So, then, let us not merely rest in the forgiveness of sins, but let us follow the instruction Christ gives the adulterous woman whom he does not condemn: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:3-11)