Proverbs 4:20-22 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
This profound proverb was written by King Solomon, the richest and wisest man ever, but it sounds just like the words of our Heavenly Father talking to us about His Son.
Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5) and when Jesus penetrates deep into our hearts, He brings life and healing to the whole body.
The true purpose of any church today is to reveal Jesus and how He qualifies you through His blood. Jesus did not come to show you your faults, or what is wrong with you or bring your sins to your remembrance. This was the work of an Old Testament prophet. Recall the widow of Zarephath who was down to her last meal and about to die in 1 Kings 17. The prophet Elijah turns up and she says, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to bring my sin to remembrance?”
This was the purpose of the Law in the Old Testament – to show people their sin.
But this is also how many people feel when they come to church today – they feel church and preaching are like that woman of Zarephath – have I come for you to remind me of my sin? This is the work of the devil today who accuses the people of God (Revelation 12:10) making them conscious of all the things they have done wrong, making them feel guilty and condemned.
But Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). And likewise, the role of the church, the ‘Body of Christ” is not to condemn people but to save people by pointing them to Jesus. The devil wants you to be guilt-ridden and self-conscious of sin – God wants you grace-filled and Jesus conscious of His righteousness.
The Old Testament law is all about you looking at yourself and what you have done wrong. The New Testament of grace is all about looking at Jesus and seeing how perfect He is. Jesus is the One who qualifies you in your righteousness.
When you hear the good news about God’s abundant grace and the gift of His righteousness, you will see clearly what Jesus did for you upon the cross. This will remove guilt, shame, and condemnation because Jesus was judged, condemned and punished so you would not.
For every condemning and guilty thought, see the blood of Jesus cleansing you and forgiving you.
Don’t allow the devil to make you self-conscious of sin, but through the blood of Jesus, become conscious of His righteousness.