The Benefits of Living Guilt-Free

“Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence” (Ephesians 3:12).

Imagine that someone paid for you to join a very expensive club: free food, health club, entertainment, time with friends, and personal help for your life. Wow! You can go anytime you want, and it never expires.

But instead, you sit at home. I’m not good enough; my sponsor doesn’t really want me there. I have felt that way with my relationship with Jesus and membership in God’s family…have you?

But Jesus wouldn’t have endured a terrible death if He didn’t want you to fully enjoy being close to God! “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God” (I Peter 3:18).

So here are just some BENEFITS Jesus wants you to enjoy:

Freedom to talk to God anytime about anything: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16). God wants you to come Him with whatever’s on your mind, just like a loving father wants to hear from his child. Talk to Him anytime, anywhere, about anything, and know that He loves you and wants to help!

Freedom to pursue your calling: “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). Don’t let guilt and shame keep you from the amazing things God has created you to do! Ask Him what He made you for and go pursue it with His help! He picked them out for you specifically!

Freedom to say “NO!” to sin and guilt: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace” (Romans 6:14). You don’t have to be a slave to sin any longer; Jesus has set you free! And if you do sin, you can just ask for God’s forgiveness and help not to keep doing it—and you can say “NO!” to any guilt about it.

Freedom to not earn God’s love: “So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it” (Romans 9:16). You don’t have to earn God’s love! HE JUST LOVES YOU. Just like a child can’t do anything to make his dad love him more or less, so God’s love for you in immeasurable and unchanging.

Enjoy God’s freedom! He loves you so much and paid for you to be completely His, totally free from guilt and experiencing the great, fun things He has for you to do.