The Cross Centered Life

Last night I officially started the journey of getting my Masters Degree in Biblical Conseling. One of our assignments is to read the book The Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney. I had read it once before, but you always seem to find more when you read it for a second time. One section that particularly stood out to me this time was in the chapter entitled, "Unloading Condemnation".

Condemnation is something we deal with at one time or another. It comes in different degrees. It's a mistake to think that condemnation is a problem only for people who have committed "major" sins.
We can become condemned over any sin, past or present, great or small. The common element is a sustained sense of guilt or shame over sins for which you have repented to God and to any appropriate individuals.
Are you allowing condemnation into your own life? Ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Do you relate to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He may haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavor?

2.) When you come to worship do you maintain a "respectful distance" from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill-tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans"

3.) When you read Scripture does it reveal the boundless love of the Savior or merely intensify your confemnation?

4.) Are you more aware of your sin than you are of God's grace, given you through the cross?

Do you see any traces of condemation in your life? Don't be surprised if you do. But don't keep carrying the burden! Because of the goespel's power you can be completely free of all condemnation.

Not mostly free; completely free.

Don't buy the lie that cultivating condemnation and wallowing in your shame is homehow pleasing to God, or that a constant, low-grade guilt will somehow promote holiness and spiritual maturity.

It's just the opposite! God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned. It's only when we receive his free gift of grace and live in the good of total forgiveness that we're able to turn from the old, sinful ways of living and walk in grace-motivated obedience.