Now Means Now!**by Anabel Gillham*

Now Means Now!*
*by Anabel Gillham*
*
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Now (adverb): at the present time; at once (Webster)
I've been thinking about the difference between conviction and
condemnation. When the Holy Spirit convicts me of something that I have
done wrong, the thoughts will be something like this: "I really blew
that! I was wrong. I should have thought before I said that. That was
certainly not a Christ-like thing to do! I'll go over the first thing
tomorrow and make an apology. I am so thankful that He has promised to
complete what He started. He still has a lot of work to do on
me---that's for sure!" In conviction there is hope---hope for changing
fleshly patterns because of the power of Christ in me---hope for
righting wrongs---hope for overcoming.
On the other hand, thoughts of condemnation will attack
me---myself- --not just my performance. For example, "I am such a loser.
I do everything wrong. I should not be teaching or witnessing. What a
sorry Christian I've turned out to be. I can't do anything right."
There's no hope in those accusations- --just condemnation. Those words
condemn me because of my poor performance and give birth to guilt,
depression, disappointment, hopelessness, and a lot of other destructive
thoughts.
The Holy Spirit isolates---brings to mind---the sinful act. Satan,
however, makes broad, all-inclusive accusations against my
person/character/ integrity. God will never condemn me. Why? Because He
knows me---my new heart, my desire to please Him, my love for Him---and
He doesn't expect me to perform perfectly. That's His
program---conformin g me to the image of His Son. "Conforming" means
there's work to be done---changing my performance, the things I do---not
my identity. There is, therefore, NOW no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.

*Stop worrying, *
*God will provide what you need in ways that amaze you.*
* If you're His child you're not the victim of circumstances. *
* Your future is not in the hands of people,*
* it's in the hands of God.*
* And what He owns, He takes care of!*
* -- Bob Gass*