Each of us deals with his own sin in one way or another.  It breaks my heart when people think that what they have done, or may even still be doing, has disqualified them from being forgiven.  Some flippantly dismiss their sin in the hope that God will take the same view, but we can't escape the knowledge that there was nothing flippant about the cross.  Some live in fear because they continue to be enticed away by a familiar temptation, despite repeated attempts to leave it for the last time.  So, what is the Lord's intention for us in regard to our sin? It all comes down to whose word we trust.  Do I just give up because my sin is too great, or do we believe Jesus when He teaches us in Luke 18:9-14?  He teaches that a sinner "standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner!'"  He taught us that "this man went down to his house justified."

When the Devil or even our own minds drag us before the Judge and we are without question guilty as charged, our Advocate has already fulfilled the requirements of the law through His own blood.  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit," according to Romans 8:1.  And, when that familiar temptation resurfaces, know that we are not doomed to be owned as slaves to sin.  The Holy Spirit has made His home in those who have trusted in and called on the name of the Lord.  And, He calls to us to follow Him, instead.  Once the God of the universe, the very author of the law, has pronounced us innocent because of the ability of His Son's sacrifice to save us, there is nothing left to be said.

A woman, guilty of adultery, was once brought before Jesus by those who intended to execute her, in order that they might test Him.  The Lord invited any of them who was without sin to cast the first stone.  One by one, they left.  He asked her "where are those accusers of yours?"  She answered that they were gone.  And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."-John 8:3-12