Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Romans 5:18, “Even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
Romans 8:1 assures us there is no condemnation for those in Christ, yet many believers still struggle with feelings of guilt. These feelings arise because, while we are justified and made righteous in God’s eyes, our new life in Christ makes us sensitive to actions that don’t align with His will. This inner discomfort is the Holy Spirit guiding us back to God’s path, not condemnation, but a sign of His loving correction. The Holy Spirit’s presence within us creates a heightened awareness of our actions, prompting us to evaluate and adjust our behavior to align with God’s desires. This process is not about punishing us but about nurturing our spiritual growth and ensuring we live in harmony with God’s will. Just as a loving parent corrects a child to steer them toward the right path, the Holy Spirit’s gentle promptings are meant to draw us closer to God, fostering a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. Embracing this perspective helps us understand that our feelings of guilt are not indicators of rejection but rather of God’s active involvement in our lives, lovingly guiding us to become more like Christ.
BIBLICAL EXPLANATION
- Justification through Christ
Romans 5:18 teaches that through Jesus’ righteous act, justification and the free gift of life are given to all men. This means that in Christ, we are declared righteous before God. Our secure position in Him is based on His sacrifice. This assurance of righteousness and life is a gift from God through Jesus.
- Regeneration and New Life
Beyond justification, we are also born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This new life means God’s Spirit lives within us. He guides and shapes us from the inside.
- Positional vs. Dispositional
Justification is our righteous standing before God because of Jesus’ blood. Regeneration is the new life we receive, making our spirit alive with God’s life. This new life gives us an inner sensitivity to God’s ways. Together, they ensure we are both righteous before God and guided by His Spirit.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
- Inner Conflict
When we act against God’s will, we feel inner discomfort. This isn’t condemnation but Christ within us reacting to actions that don’t align with His nature. Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” This discomfort is a sign of our connection to Christ and His guidance.
- Divine Guidance
This inner disturbance is the Holy Spirit guiding us. Like a loving father, God uses these feelings to steer us back to His path. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Our discomfort is a sign of His loving correction.
- No Condemnation, Only Love
Romans 8:1 reassures us there is no condemnation for those in Christ. When we feel uneasy, it’s a reminder to align with God’s life within us. This is God lovingly drawing us closer, not condemning us. It’s His way of guiding us back to Him.
CONCLUSION
Understanding the balance between our justified standing before God and our regenerated life within helps us comprehend why we sometimes feel uneasy. Our justified standing means we are declared righteous because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, giving us a secure and unchanging position before God. Alongside this, regeneration means we are born again with God’s Spirit within us, creating a new nature that desires to follow Him. When our actions do not align with this new nature, we experience inner conflict, not as condemnation, but as the Holy Spirit’s loving guidance to steer us back on the right path. This discomfort is a sign of the Spirit’s work in our lives, helping us live out the justification of life we’ve received. By embracing this truth, we can better navigate our spiritual journey, recognizing that our secure position in Christ is complemented by the Holy Spirit’s continuous guidance and correction, which is a sign of God’s love and our new life in Christ.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Sarah Parker – ICU Newton – Improving
Kathryn Raines
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
John McClain’s Mother
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
Joe Shelnutt
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Tom Witcher