GUILTY…..
Do you feel guilt? Do you struggle with it? Do you run from it? Do you take it head on? Do you hide from it?
That is an important question and can make all the difference in the world. Our reaction to guilt is arguably a way to judge the fruit of our understanding of the gospel. Now before you move past this post, take a second to hear me out.
I believe the feeling of guilt could actually be a good thing. Guilt is at least an acknowledgment of the truth that there is something wrong we have done that requires some form of punishment. Im not going to argue over what is or isn't punishment, but obvious guilt lets us know we did something that isn't right and needs correction or addressing.
3 Responses to guilt:
Judas: When Judas had turned Christ Jesus over to be killed, he realized he was wrong and his actions were an atrocity. In his conviction/guilt he threw the silver back and ran off and hung himself.
Pharaoh and the Pharisees: Pharaoh knew he had done wrong against God, but his heart was hardened instead of repenting. He reacted out of conviction/guilt in anger. It was his downfall and the death of many.
Those who stoned Stephen: When Stephen was about to be stoned, He proclaimed Christ and those who were in attendance covered their ears and rushed at him at once in response. They murdered Stephen.
Those who receive the gospel: When we confront the gospel and conviction occurs, we face it and throw ourselves at the feet of God in need of mercy which we find in Jesus Christ.
So what is up with these four examples? Why does any of this matter?
Well…..I was thinking about how I respond to guilt and if I am honest, there have been times I have been guilty of all four responses.
There have been times I attacked or hid myself from the truth. It never leads to life or good in our lives. It leads to darkness and decay.
There have been times I had my heart harden and I persecuted others who I knew I had wronged. A lot of this was in the form of anger after having been confronted with my own sins by God. I wasn't ready to forgive or take all the credit for what was wrong. I still fight this on a regular basis. It will lead to death and my own prideful downfall if left unchecked or dealt with.
There are times I felt so guilty I wanted to run from everything and when I was in my teens, I wanted to literally kill myself. I knew I was wrong and instead of facing the potential wrath (or lack of), I punished myself. I did this in many different forms from relationships, to work, to church, and with my relationship with God.
For those of us who have Christ, we have found that though we may want to respond in one (or all) of the above mentioned ways, we have the ability to throw ourselves down before Christ Jesus, the creator and sustainer of all that is, for mercy and change. Imagine how different it would have been if Judas would have simply turned to Jesus and acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness. How quickly he would have received it!
How different would Egypt have been if Pharaoh had repented and asked God for forgiveness and obeyed? So many would not have died and so much destruction could have been avoided!
What of those who stoned Stephen? Well for one Stephen would have lived to tell the gospel to others. You get my point?
Through it all, God was not surprised. All of these things were worked by Him, for Him, to complete His ordained purposes. So let's get to it…..
MY POINT: What I want to say to any of you who may read this and be going through something you feel guilt for, something you may know is wrong that needs to change, and beg you to simply fall at the feet of Jesus, confess it and let Him heal you. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive. His mercy and grace are amazing. He is mighty to save and willing to forgive. Face it. First, take it to where you can take all problems…to Jesus…
He is able to carry you through anything and everything you face. He is the way, and the truth, and the life.
I want to leave you with this from Luke 1. It is for all that repent and believe in Him and His promises. Pray it. Write it down. Print it out. Hold it near. Whatever you do, trust Him more than you fear man or the problems you face or the sin you carry. This promise is for you.
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 [aq]Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways;
77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
[ar]By the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
