Freedom from Guilt

Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

–Romans 5:1

Some years ago, I read a biography of Walt Disney. Contrary to the warm, cuddly grandfather portrayed in his television programs, Disney’s employees said he was a maniacal tyrant. On several occasions, Disney fired his entire staff, and then several weeks later, he hired them all back again. He said the reason he did that was to keep them on their toes. If they lived in fear, Disney reasoned, then they would perform better at their jobs.

I don’t know if that strategy works to motivate employees. But I do know this: Fear does nothing to enhance a relationship. In fact, fear destroys our intimacy with anyone, especially God. God does not want us to live in fear of whether He is going to throw us out of our relationship with Him. He takes no delight in His children cowering in fear, wondering if we’re in or out.

You can never be free from fear as long as you think, God is going to get even with me for my rebellion against Him. But trusting in God’s love gives you freedom from guilt over past sins. In John 15:9, Jesus said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” When you trust in God’s love, you never have to fear that at some future date God is going to dredge up sins from your past. No, God wants you to know for sure that when you trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, those sins have been completely erased. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

What is the key to knowing this for sure? Romans 5:1 links our trust in God’s character with the peace we experience: “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “justified” means to be declared “not guilty.” You will never be free from inner turmoil until you know everything is right between you and God. The only way to have the peace of God is to be at peace with God.

Romans 5:1 says we are made right with God through faith. When we believe that Christ paid for our sins, God takes the little bit of faith we have and exchanges it for His righteousness (4:5). Through faith, we are connected to God’s love, and we never have to worry about future condemnation.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Developing a Trusting Heart” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2008.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.