No Condemnation

Recently, I read a story about a young boy named Michael who was shooting rocks with his slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he returned to his grandma’s backyard, he spotted her pet duck. On impulse, he took aim and let the stone fly. It struck the duck right between the eyes, and the duck died.

Michael panicked and quickly hid the duck in the woodpile. When he looked up, he saw his sister, Emma, watching. She had seen everything but said nothing.

After lunch that day, Grandma asked Emma to help with the dishes. Emma replied, “Michael told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Michael?”

Then she leaned over and whispered, “Remember the duck.”

So Michael did the dishes.

What choice did he have?

For the next several weeks, he found himself at the sink again and again. Sometimes it was his turn, but many times it was because Emma would simply whisper, “Remember the duck,” whenever he protested.

Finally, tired of carrying the burden and being controlled by his secret, Michael decided that any punishment would be better than another day of washing dishes. He went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed her duck.

“I know, Michael,” Grandma said as she gave him a big hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you were going to let Emma make a slave out of you.”

Listen closely: In a similar way…

One of the greatest struggles you will face as a believer is seeing yourself the way God sees you. Too often, you define yourself by your failures, mistakes, and regrets, while God defines you by your relationship with His Son.

Lean into what God’s Word says about you in Romans 8:1:

“So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Do not miss that.

Because of God’s amazing grace, your sins have been forgiven through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. When God looks at you, He doesn’t see your past or your mistakes—He sees the righteousness of His Son because you are in Christ.

It is important not to confuse condemnation with conviction.

• Condemnation comes from the enemy (Satan) and tells you that you are guilty, worthless, and beyond hope. It pushes you away from God through shame and fear.
• Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. It is full of grace. It lovingly points out sin, not to condemn you, but to lead you to repentance, restoration, and a closer walk with Christ.

As God’s child, you can rest in His amazing grace, knowing that you are fully seen, fully loved, completely forgiven, and eternally accepted.

Instead of living under the weight of condemnation—“remember the duck”—you are called to walk in the freedom that Christ has already secured for you.

Embrace God’s grace today!