We live in a culture saturated with the consciousness of sin. This type of highly pervasive thinking is one of the challenges Christians face daily. The mindset religion teaches causes us to constantly be aware of sin and agonize over it; however, this isn’t God’s will for us. Changing our focus from sin to Jesus melts away the guilt and shame that sin-consciousness brings.
Jesus delivered us from sin when He went to the cross to be the final sacrifice for our sins and make forgiveness available to us. God’s will is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. God has said, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” When sin has been forgiven, there’s no need to offer any more sacrifices.
Focusing on Jesus and what He did instead of on sin and what we do changes our entire outlook. Most people have been taught to think according to the Law of Moses, which was given to disclose man’s guilt and make people more aware of the sinfulness of sin. However, it was only intended to be in effect until Christ came; now that He has come, He’s replaced the law with grace. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Born-again believers have been freed from living by the law. We’re no longer sinners, but saints who have been made righteous by the faith of Jesus. Sin doesn’t have dominion over us, because we’re not under the law, but under grace. Sin isn’t imputed when there is no law.
There’s no need to remain in bondage to the stress and self-condemnation sin-consciousness causes. Being aware of what Christ has done for us breaks those emotional chains. If the Son therefore makes us free, we’re free indeed.
Prayer:
Lord, You gave us an alternative to focusing on sin by giving us Your Son to focus on instead. Thinking about the blood sacrifice He made to permanently wash away our sin frees us from the negative emotions that sin-consciousness causes. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
Hebrews 10:10, 17, 18, NLT
Galatians 3:19, AMPC
John 1:17
Romans 6:14
Romans 5:13
John 8:36