You’ve got no one but yourself to blame. You’re responsible for the mess you’re in. You might make excuses, and you probably have reasons, but deep down, you know it’s all your fault. Maybe you

are an addict

are an alcoholic

are having an affair

are quick to lose your temper

are a thief

Whatever it is, you’ve made one destructive decision that’s led to another, and now you find yourself wondering how you ever got there. You know all the blame is your own.

Some say you deserve the mess you’re in…it’s your punishment. They might say you deserve to live in guilt, to always feel the shame of what you’ve done. I’ve even heard this phrase before: eternal consequences.

Friend, no matter what you’ve done, or are doing, there is freedom. There’s freedom from your sin, from guilt, from shame, and yes, even from eternal consequences. Jesus has made a way.

When the Pharisees cast the woman caught in adultery before Jesus, He acknowledged her sin. While He didn’t ignore her sin, what He didn’t tell her was that she deserved to live in guilt, that she should constantly feel shame, that she should wallow in the blame for the rest of her life. He set her free. He spoke the most gracious words anyone could ever speak to sinners who blame themselves: Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more. (John 8: 3-11)

Humbly enter into His presence, and allow Him to speak those words to your heart, to set you free from the bondage of sin and self-blame. Then go, and tell others of the freedom you’ve experienced.