Feeling a bit down on yourself lately? Do these feelings of failure haunt you? Perhaps you’re beginning to realize that in this life, you will never truly get it right and that you lack the ability to do so. Then you have realized the truth: all have fallen short of the glory of God. To err is to be human. We also know the truth that there is no one, not even one, who is righteous except Christ. Not a single person or soul in all existence is perfect. Not one who fully understands, not one who seeks after and does all that is right, and not one who is truly good. All of us have tongues that practice deceit, have poison under our lips, our mouths are full of cursing and bitterness, our feet are swift to shed blood, we know not the way of peace, and there is no fear of God before our eyes in ourselves and in our limited human capacity. That is the Bible’s description of the human race. Pretty dismal, right?

I personally do not find it a very appealing description, but even I admit that it’s mostly accurate and if you are being honest with yourself it is not an inaccurate description of so much of mankind. Even the best of humanity is a far cry from the perfection and righteousness of God.

Realizing that in and of yourself, you are evil, a sinner, no good, and lost is the first step to the freedom that salvation offers. After acknowledging this, we confess our need for Him and ask Him to save us. Then Christ fills us with His goodness. Where there was once only darkness and self-seeking behaviors, He fills us with His light, His truth, His righteousness, and all of Himself. That’s why the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. All past offenses, all your sins, are not only covered but completely wiped away. For when you stand in Christ, you do just that—you stand clothed in Him. That’s why you become acceptable to God. We are made right with God, not because we have a righteous of your own; it is because we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

You have failed, and you will fail again, but you are no failure when you stand in the Lord. It is only the old self you struggle with. Just keep reminding it that it’s dead. Let God be good in you. That’s the freedom He offers—freedom from guilt, freedom from shame, and ultimately freedom from the judgment we deserve. What amazing grace and redemption we stand in when we stand in Christ!

Scriptures: Phil. 4:1, Eph. 6:13, 1 Tim. 6:12, Eph. 2:8-9