Guilt and Grace

Grief, anxiety, love, celebration, pain, and struggles were common stories we heard as week after week our college and career CG would meet and share.  

As Leslie and I got to know our group better and listened to their stories more deeply, a common thread emerged. A sense of guilt. I do not believe it has anything to do with the uniqueness of their stage of life; I think it is something we all struggle with.   

Our group was made up of good kids. Most, but not all, were raised in church.  Many had walked with Christ for years, and some were getting their first introduction.  Yet one thing that struck me is how much grace they had for each other, and at the same time so little grace for themselves. 

“But there was that one night when <insert struggle here>.” 
“I just can’t seem to break the power that <insert sin here> continues to have over me.” 

Guilt-ridden is how many came on any Sunday night; unable to forgive themselves for sins of the past (or present). Determined to help them understand their identity in Christ, we started a chapter-by-chapter study through The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll. 

Week after week we discussed the beauty and depth of grace. Our group never cheapened grace with a get-out-of-jail free card which might encourage reckless living; they were very restrained, offering grace to others, but not seeing that the same grace applied to each of them.  They were a new creation in Christ, unworthy of His grace, but willingly holding it as a valuable gift. We never saw in them the danger of standing in judgment over others, but they struggled with being judge and jury over their own actions and decisions. Each of us cries for the mercy of God but also holds the attitude that if God truly knew me, He might not be as full of grace and love. If He knew what a wreck I had made of my life or had seen that secret sin I hope no one will catch me in (you know the one, it’s the one you can’t let go of), then certainly He couldn’t love me so easily. 

At times, we tend to take the seat of judgment from God. We see Him as the Holy, loving judge for others, yet when it comes to THAT sin in our lives, we become judge and jury of ourselves, and we find ourselves guilty. We serve a God, who by His mercy, has declared us NOT GUILTY. Not because He is impressed by us or because we deserve it, but because He sees us through His Son with whom He is well pleased.  

We cannot fathom the depth of grace God has for His children, the ones who are hidden in the righteousness of His Son.   We are not guilty because He declared us not guilty. That is our identity. God is on His throne! 

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalms 32:1-2 (ESV)  

Written by: Tim Gardner 

Tim and Leslie Gardner have been at The Mount for seven years. They have two daughters, 26 and 18 who both attend The Mount.  The Gardners have served in children’s ministry, students, as CG leaders, and both are Certified Biblical Counselors. 

Identity in Christ

Rhythm: Be with Jesus

Maybe you’ve had the unfortunate dream where you are being pursued by someone or something. In the broken physics of the dreamworld, no matter how hard you try, your pursuer is gaining ground. A few years ago, it seemed everywhere I looked I found Isaiah 43:18-21. It was in devotionals, emails, and even on the lips of my friends. God was pursuing me with the loving truth that my identity was found in Him and not my circumstances.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my ch”osen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

As Christians, our identity is found in Jesus, who saves us, forms us for Himself, and calls us to live our lives for Him.

The past doesn’t define our identity. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." We tend to hold on to our past whether it is our past sins, who we used to be, or what others think of us, but the Lord wants us to look forward to what He is doing in our lives. When we hold on to the things of old, we are not putting our trust in Him. He has chosen us, has made us a new creation, and is sanctifying us. He is active in our lives and doing new things, now we get to live in that freedom and declare His praise.

Our present identity is defined, not in isolation, but with our ever-faithful friend, Jesus. We find this in Colossian 1:9-14. This scripture shows who we are in Christ, we get to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people who live in the light, and we are no longer slaves to sin, because Jesus has purchased our freedom and forgiven us.

To continually find our identity in Christ, we have to acknowledge the battle for what it is. There are competing allegiances, distractions, and desires of the flesh. These enemies can be external but often are the internal lies that we tell ourselves. I want to encourage you to not get caught up in negative self-talk because of circumstances, what others have said, or how they made you feel. Instead focus on the truths that we can easily find in God's Word. As we follow Jesus together, walk in the strength of who you are in Him, in endurance in the path before you, and in patience with each other.

To close, pray Colossians 1:9-14 over yourself, your family, and our church.

“I ask you God to give us complete knowledge of Your will and to give us spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way we live will always honor and please You Lord, and our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, we will grow as we learn to know You, God better and better. I pray that we will be strengthened with Your glorious power, and you will provide us the endurance and patience we need each day. May we be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father. For You have enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people, who live in the light. For You have rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Amen."

Written by Kim Wreay

Kim has been a member at The Mount since 2006 and on staff as a ministry admin since 2014. She has two great boys, Tommy and Sammy. Kim leads a women's community group and is part of our biblical counseling team.