From Guilt to Change to Forgiveness

And it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin. Romans 3:19-20 (The Message)

Guilt is a powerful force. This emotion produces shame and leaves us empty. The best case scenario is we will get to the point where this uncomfortable sensation prompts us to change, and acknowledge our guilt, and seek forgiveness. This is a process and one not achieved straightaway.

For many years I never saw the seriousness of the devastating path I traveled. Every day my stomach ached, and I couldn't shake it. I wasnt I'll, at least not physically; but my behaviors affected me like an illness. I compare this to a nervous stomach experienced while waiting to deliver a speech or sitting in the hospital waiting room anticipating the results of a test.

The day I faced my sinful my ways and made the decision to change, things didn't happen just because I said so. A day-to-day heart change took place. Some days I failed, and guilt would grab hold of me pouring a tidal wave of shame over me.

Over and over I would vow to do better. This change of heart became a gradual process, and one I repeated until it sank in. Each time I failed, I saw an opportunity to pursue forgiveness. In time and through prayer, the new behaviors outnumbered the old ones. But again, the process is long, allowing for God to grow me and draw me close to Him.

Accusation & Justification: I Hear Voices in My Head

The Crow (1994) - Film of Accusation and Vengeance

READ: Mark 2:1-12

“Your sins are forgiven.” My dear friends, the gospel in four words. 

But do you really believe it? Is your life now totally guilt-free? Do you live unashamed, hiding nothing, knowing that all is forgiven and you are loved in spite of your past?

Not quite? Me neither. 

But Jesus says it’s all forgiven. Lost your temper? Forgiven. Gossip? Forgiven. Divorced? Forgiven. Premarital sex? Forgiven. Came off as too judgmental while writing a devotional? Forgiven!!!

Then why do we still feel guilty? According to Revelation 12, Satan accuses us day and night and leads the whole world astray. He tells us we’re not forgiven.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Film of Justification & Forgiveness

Yet the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins. And, boy, does he:

Alcoholic? Forgiven. Drug addict? Forgiven. Adulterer? Forgiven. Homosexual? Forgiven. Murderer? Forgiven. Pedophile? Forgiv   

“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming!”

Is he? Or is it true that no one can condemn us because Christ Jesus died for us and is also interceding for us? (Romans 8:33-34)

Do we then have a free pass to sin? 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

So, then, let us not merely rest in the forgiveness of sins, but let us follow the instruction Christ gives the adulterous woman whom he does not condemn: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:3-11)

Grace received & Grace given.

1 Timothy 1:14 (NIV) 
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

When I stop to think for a few minutes, meditate on the last verse above, I discover so many times, so many ways, Jesus' Grace swallowed up my guilt. "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

This is a difficult topic for me to compose a meaningful blog post on, especially right this moment. I was walking my dog in the gorgeous fall sunshine today, knowing full well there may not be many more like this until next year. My neighborhood and the surrounding area we walk, has few sidewalks making it necessary to walk in the road.

We were approaching a one block area with sidewalks when a car roars past, burning rubber like the driver is trying to get my attention. He screeches to a halt about two car lengths past me and shouts out his window, "Can I ask why you are walking down the middle of the road when there is perfectly good sidewalk all around you?" I suggested he mind his own business to which he promptly used some words that were obviously meant to make him feel powerful and me to feel 'told off.'

Well, it worked. He certainly did tell me off!  Then I was reminded of the topic I planned to write on as soon as I got home. In fact, as I started on the walk I asked God to help me recall an instance where Grace could be the topic.

I realized that, not only do I receive undeserved grace every day of my life, but I have opportunity to also dish out some grace too. In this case I could just forget about the incident and not let it spoil my day.  Or, I could learn from it and the next time chose my words more carefully. I could have said, "I am sorry, yes, you are right."  Then smile and move up to the sidewalk.

That's not my nature, but perhaps it should be.

1 Timothy 1:9-14

A Psalm of David

Psalm 51:1-10

Guilt has both positive and negative aspects. It is painful, but serves a purpose because it tells us something is wrong. It’s kind of like a warning light on our dashboard. The problem is that many of us don’t like heeding that warning because of the trouble involved so we ignore it. We prefer to deny or run away from our guilt rather than face up to it and deal with it.

That’s what David did, but when Nathan was sent to confront David, he finally confessed his sin. After admitting his wrongdoing, David wrote this Psalm and humbly poured out his heart to God. In his prayer we find insights that will help us deal with our own guilt.

David began by recounting God’s merciful, unfailing love

as he reflected on the severity of his sin and asked to be cleansed.

Then he frankly admitted his sin and did not excuse or downplay his actions. He also asked God to help him address the core issues that produced his actions; his inner thoughts and feelings.

David wanted his heart purified. He knew that only God could do that kind of “heart surgery.”

When we feel that pain of guilt, perhaps God is trying to tell us something is wrong. It may be our warning light and is not to be ignored. Admission of guilt can be a scary thing, but the after effects are worth the risk.

Forgiveness is a beautiful and freeing act of love when it is given as well as when it is received.

Read/Listen to Psalm 51:1-10

Freedom Rings

When the weight of a guilty conscience is dragged around behind us it is as if we were prisoners of our past. Every step we take considers the pull of previous indiscretions. The undertow of shame overwhelms and undermines daily living. It is challenging to live a free and happy life with such baggage in tow.

Where did this burden come from? Why is it so heavy and all-consuming? It is like my lawn mower. I use it to cut my grass, but sometimes when I finally get around to mowing the yard, the grass is so long it takes a lot just to push through it without the engine snubbing out. Then, when I turn the mower on its side there is so much scum and crusty debris attached to the walls of the undercarriage, it is amazing it ever cut anything.

Before Jesus, that was my life. I kept allowing layer after layer of sin to attach to the walls of my heart, that once I decided to change, to embrace Jesus as Savior, it still took years to chisel the shame and guilt away. The slightest reminder of my past caused me to cringe and hide. Until...

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, the, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)  I learned that the guilt I was feeling was a conviction of the Holy Spirit to clean up my act. I began to feel that yoke of oppression lift as I let go of my past and embraced the future - one day at a time.

Today, when I am asked the reason for my new found hope, I point to the Gospel and share my story.




Galatians 5:1-15