God’s gift of grace allows our heart to receive conviction of truth. So as much as we need to allow the Holy Spirit to convict our heart of sin, we also need to allow our heart to receive with conviction the Father’s love and the grace of His mercy. As we receive truth and God’s forgiveness purchased with the LORD’s blood, we can forgive others and experience great peace and freedom of heart.
RELEVANCE
As we value the LORD’s sacrifice and His forgiveness, we are able to cast off condemnation. As a result we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and refresh our heart. Furthermore, such liberty enables us to walk free from guilt. In addition, it empowers us to set others free from our judgment. It also enables us to walk in confidence, in the courage of our convictions.
In a similar sense, as we take the “log” out of our eye (Matthew 7:4) and stop judging others, God cleans our eye and clears our vision. As a result, we can see with His open vision. Furthermore, living free from the guilt of sin and judgment truly transfers us into a new realm. For, when you receive the liberty of the Spirit, you are transferred from the realm of the guilt and condemnation of sin to the realm of freedom in the Spirit.
Unfortunately, we often find it difficult to shake off guilt. Therefore, we find encouragement and hope in the Lord. Allow your heart to embrace Paul’s exhortation.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to deat” (Romans 8:1-2 NLT).
REFLECT AND RELATE
Have you fully received the love of the Father, mercy of the LORD and Holy Spirit’s comfort?
Do you think there might be things preventing you from freely extending God’s love to others—even difficult people?
REFERENCES
1 John 4:16; Psalm 19:7-14; 27:1-14; 136:1-26; Hebrews 6:13-20