Dear Church Family,

I write to you today with a message that I pray will resonate deep within your hearts and spirits. It is a truth that is foundational to our faith, yet one that we often find ourselves needing to grasp anew: Jesus carried your guilt.

We look at our mistakes, our shortcomings, and our sins, and we feel the weight of them pressing down upon us. We wonder how we could possibly be worthy of God's love and forgiveness when we fall short time and time again.

But let me remind you of the beautiful truth that shines forth from the cross of Christ: Jesus carried your guilt. He bore upon His shoulders the weight of every sin, every failure, every transgression that you and I have ever committed. He willingly took upon Himself the punishment that we deserved, so that we might be set free from the bondage of sin and death.

In Isaiah 53:6, we read, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." These words paint a vivid picture of the exchange that took place at Calvary. Our sins were laid upon Jesus, and He bore them in His body as He hung upon the cross.

As we reflect on this truth, let us allow it to penetrate deep into our souls. Let us release the guilt and shame that we have been carrying, knowing that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins. Let us rest in the assurance that we are forgiven, redeemed, and beloved children of God.

But let us not stop there. Let us also allow this truth to transform the way we live our lives. Let us walk in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us, no longer enslaved to sin but empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives that are pleasing to God.

May this truth fill you with hope, joy, and gratitude as you journey forward in your walk with the Lord. And may you never forget the incredible love that Jesus demonstrated for you when He carried your guilt to the cross.

With love and blessings,

Bill Doane