Deserving of criticism

There is…no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

How many times have you been criticized? How often have you been told that you did something wrong, said something hurtful, or failed to come through when your help was needed? I would guess that you’ve been told such things many times over the years.

I’m sure that on some occasions, those criticisms were unfair. But more often than not, those harsh words stung because you knew they were true. You have let people down. You have spoken cruelly to others and about others. You have gotten into fights, broken things, took stuff without permission. You have been selfish, stubborn and wasteful.

As the years go by, the guilt you feel over past mistakes eats away at you like stomach acid. It can make you bitter. It can make you desperate. It can make you feel worthless.

Sure, you’d like to fix things, but how can you take back words that should never have escaped your lips? What can you give that would erase the hurt caused by the promise you broke? How can you apologize to a friend who has moved to parts unknown, or to a parent who has died? How can you ever be rid of the guilt?

You may not be able to fix what you’ve ruined, but there is hope for things to improve. In fact, there are three things I’m about to tell you that can change everything for the better. First, you can be forgiven. God sent His Son to suffer for your dark thoughts, nasty words and negligent behavior. On the cross, Jesus took responsibility for the punishment you deserve. Then He rose from the dead, so He can lift the guilt that weighs you down. Second, you’re not in this alone. Christ is always near; although you cannot see Him, He is close by and willing to lend you His strength and patience, His wisdom and courage, His compassion and His peace. It’s yours for the asking. Finally, this too shall pass. Friends of Jesus are assured a welcome in heaven when they die, a place where there is nothing to fear, nothing to get angry about. The problems of life will not go on forever; in paradise you will be able to enjoy life as God intended it to be.

You and I, we’re failures. But thanks to Jesus, our failures no longer define us. What defines us now is love—the love of God, which is shared with us through His Son.