This morning I read this devotional from Lydia Brownback and was compelled to share it. In our care for ministry leaders and spouses, this is one of the biggest issues Catalina and I deal with; ministry leaders and their spouses concealing sin, and self-condemnation and shame related to sin. I hope this article brings comfort to those in ministry suffering from this and it brings you hope. Remember…you don’t have to suffer alone.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)
Whether our struggle concerns real sin or the personal failures we define as sin, self-condemnation inhibits us from finding comfort in the gospel. Instead we berate ourselves and become critical and judgmental, not only toward ourselves but toward others too. Such misery is caused not primarily by anything we are doing or failing to do but by our inward curve.
Past sins can dominate our thoughts as we rehearse over and over what we did or said and the hurt we caused. Allowing such thoughts to dominate inhibits us from comprehending how thoroughly the gospel deals with sin and guilt. If we’d only look away from that—away from ourselves altogether—and direct our gaze to Christ in his word, we’d see that Christ’s sacrifice trumps our sin in every respect. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for any sin of his. He took on himself our sin—yours and mine—and bore the guilt of it so we don’t have to. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Quite frankly, if God has forgiven us, who are we to condemn ourselves? Christ died for all the sin—past, present, and future—of those who are united to him by faith.
In light of that reality, if we have put our faith in his sufficiency for us, why do we still feel condemned? Maybe we are measuring ourselves by a different standard, one not rooted in God’s word. Scripture is where we learn that failing to reach personal goals isn’t necessarily sinful, but having a perfectionist spirit that demands it is. “Come to me,” Jesus said, “all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).
Our sins and failures loom too large in our eyes when Christ seems too small, and he is sure to seem small if our view of ou selves obscures our view of him. So that’s the first thing we’ve got to consider if we’re weighed down by a sense of condemnation—Where are we looking?
Let’s analyze those sins and failures that hold our conscience hostage. Are they actually sins? And who determines what is sin? As we’ve noted, the Lord alone has the authority to declare what is sinful, and he has done so clearly in his word. Therefore, Scripture is the only standard that matters.
This article is republished with permission from “Crossway Daily Devotionals” by Lydia Brownback, Copyright © April 3rd, 2025. Crossway, a ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling under the weight of ministry, we want you to know—you are not alone. We are here to walk with you, because healthy leaders build healthy churches, and the Kingdom depends on both.
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