Of all the Sundays on the calendar, Easter should remind us not to waste any more time carrying around shame.

The truth is, too many church leaders aren’t serving Jesus effectively because they’re too busy hanging their head in shame. 

The cross reminds us how ridiculous our shame is. That’s not because we’ve never sinned.

Romans 3:23 tells us that we’ve all sinned–even pastors. 

But because Jesus died on the cross, our sins are forgiven.

We’re all imperfect.

We have sin that makes us feel guilty about our past.

We have regrets.

But God doesn’t want us to live with that guilt.

That’s why Jesus died!

Ephesians 1:7 says, “Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means that our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because God was so kind to us” (CEV).

Guilt wastes a ton of energy. It wears us out and robs us of peace of mind.

Too many believers (and even pastors) are saved but don’t act like it.

They’re full of shame and guilt.

It dominates everything they do.

They believe in Jesus, but they haven’t been set free from the condemnation of sin.

Romans 8:1 says, “Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT).

“No condemnation” means God doesn’t judge you for all the things you’ve done wrong if you’ve trusted in Christ Jesus.

He took your punishment on the cross.

God doesn’t have to condemn you, because Jesus took your condemnation.

That’s what Easter is all about. You’re forgiven. Jesus died for you. You can live with hope and not condemnation.

You can be free.