By If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re a sincere Christian who’s struggling with sin. Or maybe you just want to be sincere. But sin in your life has you feeling stuck and likely ashamed.
The pain you feel from sin can be crippling, keeping you from the life of freedom you want. Without God’s righteousness in your life, the Bible says you are dead in your sin (Rom. 6:23, Eph. 2:1).
This is exactly why God became a man (Jesus) to die in our place and take the punishment for our sins. He is the solution to our otherwise dead lives of sin.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Even after you become a believer, it is likely that you will struggle with sin at some point in your life. This is where repentance comes into play. Repentance is a reckoning with your life, a reset, and a resolve to live your life God’s way. His lifestyle of righteousness according to what the Bible says.
So how does repentance work?
Repenting is a 180-degree turn from walking away from God, to realign your walk towards God. The process of repenting is not a method or rite; it’s a heart process. The following is a general outline of what it entails:
- Review actions, and reckon with your current state
- Revile your sins, and reset the direction of your life
- Resolve to change, and recommit your life to Jesus
Does condemnation have any place in repentance?
As I said earlier, if you’re reading this it’s probably because you’re already experiencing condemnation over your sins. But is this feeling okay? Should you accept the feelings of condemnation?
In my opinion, no. You should fight condemnation with all your might. One of the biggest tools of destruction in your life is condemnation. It binds, breaks, and buffets you. I speak from experience as I have felt crippling condemnation at times in my life. In those times, what my heart was shouting was, “my sin is so bad that I should punish myself and feel ashamed.” But in essence, what I really was saying to God was, “Jesus’ death wasn’t enough punishment for my sins. I need to punish myself.”
But friend, His cross is enough. You should reject condemnation and hold fast to Biblical truths.
Biblical truths to encouraging you when condemnation creeps up.
- “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1–2, emphasis mine)
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)
- “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)
- “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (1 John 3:7, emphasis mine)
There’s not a “probation period” requirement to those verses. When we accept Christ’s forgiveness, those truths apply instantly, and we immediately receive His righteousness as a free gift.
Choose today to reckon, reset, and recommit your life to Christ.
