"Now we know, that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
Romans 3:19
A man made an appointment to talk with a pastor. He explained to the minister that for many years he had felt a sense of guilt. The guilty feelings, he could not escape. He honestly confessed many wrongs that he had done to others. He had tried to live a better life, but the guilt remained. He asked the pastor, "Why do I feel so guilty after all these years?" The pastor said candidly, "Most of us feel guilty, because we are guilty. As a matter of fact, all of us are guilty of breaking the law of God." The man asked, "Does God want me to live with this guilt the rest of my life?" The minister quickly replied, "God doesn't want you to live with your guilt for one day. He wants to forgive us and cleanse us of all sin." The pastor went on to explain how God forgives us and takes our guilt away. He led the man in a prayer to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That day, the man left the minister's office without the load of his guilt.
The law of God was given to show all people that we are guilty. We have all broken God's law in one way or another. To offend the law in one point is to be guilty of all (James 2:10). The law cannot save us from guilt and condemnation. It shows us our need of God's mercy. That mercy was displayed for the world to see at the cross of Jesus. He took our guilt, condemnation and punishment at the cross. Every believer can be guilt-free in Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The power of all guilt is broken in Christ.
"Christians - Not Perfect, Just Forgiven" are the words I read on a bumper-sticker. How true! I have never met a perfect Christian. However, Christians know where to find forgiveness. You may be a Christian, feeling guilty over a past sin. Leave that guilt behind, as you confess that sin, and find fresh cleansing and forgiveness in Christ. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). When you feel guilty, bring your sins to God, and discover once again that He still forgives and cleanses all sins.
Prayer: Father, we have sinned. We have broken the law of God. We ask for forgiveness and cleansing, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A man made an appointment to talk with a pastor. He explained to the minister that for many years he had felt a sense of guilt. The guilty feelings, he could not escape. He honestly confessed many wrongs that he had done to others. He had tried to live a better life, but the guilt remained. He asked the pastor, "Why do I feel so guilty after all these years?" The pastor said candidly, "Most of us feel guilty, because we are guilty. As a matter of fact, all of us are guilty of breaking the law of God." The man asked, "Does God want me to live with this guilt the rest of my life?" The minister quickly replied, "God doesn't want you to live with your guilt for one day. He wants to forgive us and cleanse us of all sin." The pastor went on to explain how God forgives us and takes our guilt away. He led the man in a prayer to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That day, the man left the minister's office without the load of his guilt.
The law of God was given to show all people that we are guilty. We have all broken God's law in one way or another. To offend the law in one point is to be guilty of all (James 2:10). The law cannot save us from guilt and condemnation. It shows us our need of God's mercy. That mercy was displayed for the world to see at the cross of Jesus. He took our guilt, condemnation and punishment at the cross. Every believer can be guilt-free in Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The power of all guilt is broken in Christ.
"Christians - Not Perfect, Just Forgiven" are the words I read on a bumper-sticker. How true! I have never met a perfect Christian. However, Christians know where to find forgiveness. You may be a Christian, feeling guilty over a past sin. Leave that guilt behind, as you confess that sin, and find fresh cleansing and forgiveness in Christ. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). When you feel guilty, bring your sins to God, and discover once again that He still forgives and cleanses all sins.
Prayer: Father, we have sinned. We have broken the law of God. We ask for forgiveness and cleansing, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
