No condemnation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

I had broken God's laws. Again. I was condemned. And it hurt. Why couldn't I just figure out how to respond correctly in those situations? Why couldn't I just be perfect??

Here's the reality: I WAS condemned. But now... NOW there is no condemnation! God does not condemn me—so why am *I* condemning myself?!

When you are feeling condemnation—as I struggle with from time to time—it is often because you are trying to be right with God by your own works—and feeling guilty and disgusting because you can't measure up to His standard. Don't do it! Instead, we must rely on the One who died to make us holy once for all time! (Hebrews 10:10)

You are "in Christ Jesus" when you place your faith in Him—believing that when He died on the cross, He became the sacrifice for your sins—and that it is enough. There's no penance for you to pay, no groveling, no pleading, no promises of doing better next time. That's not what God wants! It's all about faith in Him—and a heart that's humble before Him.

You have been made right in God's sight by faith and you have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ my Lord has done for you! (Romans 5:1)