On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some of long standing (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals (Mark 16:18). I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and sound of spirit, mind, soul and body. Sin?
Am I sick because of sin? My sin? Another person's sin?
No.
For years I was plagued with doubts about my righteousness because I could not get past all my sin. Some sin I could get past. Not all. Whenever I thought I was making progress I would recognise another sin in my life; something which I had accepted as OK until just now. My burden just got heavier; my worthiness decreased.
No matter how hard I watched myself, how quick I was to seek forgiveness and repent for every wrongdoing, all day, every day, I still always saw myself as "clothed in filthy rags" (Zechariah 3:3-4). I wasn't even very good at watching myself and being "quick to repent". Every day it was clear that Jesus' kind of righteousness was beyond me. I know how Martin Luther felt.
Eventually I read "The Normal Christian Life" (a study of Romans) and saw, in a nutshell, what many lovely people had been trying to teach me for years.
I am fully righteous. All my righteousness is in Christ Jesus. It always was, is, and always will be. In Jesus alone. I am justified and I am righteous. None of my righteousness can ever be attributed to me.
None.
I'm With Jesus
We get accused of sin, constantly. There are plenty who will cast arrows at us all day every day. (Just try working in an office where they all know you are Christian, and you're the only one!)
Satan is the great accuser:
(Revelation 12:10) "the accuser of our brothers [and us too], he accuses them before our God day and night".
Satan is a thief, his great self-appointed work is to:
(John 10:10) "steal, kill, and destroy. I, [Jesus], came that you may have life, and have it to the full".
A Christian's Response To Accusations Of Sin
Your response can be: "I'm with Jesus, so back off. If you want to talk about my sin, you'll have to speak with Jesus. He took all my sin to the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:21) and there He paid for it, (1 Peter 2:24) .. Jesus defeated Satan, and He defeated death (2 Timothy 1:10). It is written, 'I am righteous in Christ alone' (Romans 3:21-26). I belong to Jesus".
Certainly, live clean. Seek forgiveness from sin. Repent. But do not be weighed down by it.
Favourite Scriptures:
(John 17:9-11) "I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are".
(Matthew 28:20) "and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world".
A Christian's Response (Again: This Time With Scriptures In Full)
Your response can be: "I'm with Jesus, so back off Satan. If you want to talk about my sin, you'll have to speak with Jesus. He took all my sin to the Cross:
(2 Corinthians 5:21) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
There He paid for my sin:
(1 Peter 2:24) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Jesus defeated Satan, and He defeated death:
(2 Timothy 1:10) it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has defeated death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
It is written that I am fully justified and am righteous in Christ alone:
(Romans 3:21-26) "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus".
I belong to Jesus.
More along these lines soon.
Praise Jesus.
Amen.
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Thank You Jesus.
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