Condemnation. Maybe not a word we often hear. But one we often feel. We failed. Messed up again. Missed the mark. Sinned. Did what we said we wouldn’t. Disappointed those we love. Guilt. Shame. Condemnation. But not for you. Not anymore. Not when you are in Christ. You are forgiven. Jesus is for you. He died in your place. As your substitute. Paid the price by shedding his blood on the cross. Poured out for you. To remove your sins as far as the east is from the west. It is finished.

   Christ was condemned so that you are not. Your condemnation is as dead as Jesus was. And just as He is risen from the grave, so too are you raised to new life now and in the age to come. The good news of the gospel sets us free. It sets us free from having to justify ourselves. It declares that in Christ, we are righteous. It promises that our sins are forgiven in the Name of Jesus, who lived, died, and rose for you. United to Christ in baptism, sustained by His Word and His Supper, you are His. His righteousness is now your righteousness. All as a gift. By grace, through faith alone.

Brandon Bettcher

Associate Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Napoleon, OH

Brandon Bettcher serves as an associate pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in
Napoleon, OH. Originally from Southeast Michigan he attended Lutheran schools throughout his
education, graduating from Lutheran High School North in 2015, Concordia University, Ann
Arbor in 2019, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 2023. He is thankful to be in the
community of Napoleon along with his wife Taylor who works for Endeavor Financial Group
and their young daughter.