Does God want you to feel guilty? I guess if you asked 100 random people in the street this question, more than half of them would say yes! This is a terrible failure of communication of the Gospel and a battle won in many hearts by Satan. People confuse the issue of conviction (knowing that you have sinned in a particular situation), with condemnation (being judged and sentenced).
We have failed to get the message across that whatever we have done and whatever we will do need not result in punishment and destruction by God if we admit, believe and confess (ABC) in the fact that Jesus paid the price for all our past and future wrong.
Jesus communicated this very effectively by his words and actions – unfortunately the church through the ages has focused too much on sin, judgement and death and too little on forgiveness, acceptance and life. It's not easy sometimes to feel guilt-free – if you feel guilty about something today, spend 5 minutes in prayer confessing and asking for God to forgive you, and laying down your sin before God – then you can feel clean. Jesus said:
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." John 15:3 [NIV]
Lord, sometimes I forget that I am already clean and carry around feelings of guilt and shame. Thank you, Jesus, for paying the price for everything I have done, whatever I am doing today and anything I will do in the future. Help me to lay this guilt at the foot of your cross. Amen.
Memory Verse: Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 [NIV]
Dave MacLellan
(based on Saddleback Church resource material)
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