What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
We often have very strong feelings and emotions that we don't seem to be able to control! The truth is you don't have to make decisions based on your feelings! You have a free will, and you can choose to believe God's Word more than you believe how you feel at the time. When you begin to live by the Word of God and what you know through Him instead of how you feel, your feelings will eventually change and line up with the Word.
Satan used guilt to steal from me for years, which was often false guilt because much of the time I had nothing to be guilty for. I had repented, asked God to forgive me, and even believed that He had forgiven me. And yet I would still live my life feeling guilty and badly. I carried the burden of guilt everywhere that I went. I often said, "I did not feel right if I did not feel wrong." At times I even felt very spiritual because I always felt bad about my behavior; now I understand God doesn't want me to feel that way.
Every morning when I went to have my prayer and time with God, I would go over one of two things: all of my problems or all of my mistakes. The Bible says ask and receive that your joy may be full. I was asking for forgiveness, but I never took the time to receive. I'd like to encourage you from now on when you ask God to forgive your sins for anything you've done wrong, take a moment and say, "I receive your forgiveness right now." Don't just ask, ask and receive so that you can take the next step and be filled with joy.
One morning as I was attempting to spend time with God, He spoke to my heart and said, "Are you going to fellowship with Me this morning or with your problems and your sins?" Do you spend more time with your sins than you do with God? Do you spend more time thinking about what you've done wrong than about what He's done right? Remember, where sin does abound, grace and forgiveness and mercy does much more abound.
When you go to God in prayer today, ask Him to forgive you for whatever it is you need forgiveness for, receive His forgiveness, and trust His grace as you press on with joy to what He has for you.
Prayer of the Day: Father, please help me to trust Your Word over my feelings. In Jesus’ name, I receive Your forgiveness and with Your help, will walk in joy, anchored in Your grace and mercy every single day!
