Give Up the Guilt

 

Why do some Christian women live in the guilt of past sin? As they relate their stories I would have to agree that there are some understandably upsetting sins that have been committed.

What is it about the forgiveness of God in our salvation that is not believed or understood so that they continue to try to work their way into God’s good graces?

“Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Other verses tell us that our faith is counted as righteousness and the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to those who believe that He has paid the debt for their sin. In salvation we are delivered from the bondage of the guilt we live in for sin.

A believing Christian who is suffering from a guilty conscience (for past sin, present sin is another matter) is lacking faith that Christ paid the whole debt for her sin. Believing that the Word of God is true means believing that we are “washed clean.” 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (emphasis mine).

We sing songs that say we are washed whiter than snow and that even the vilest offender is pardoned when in Jesus he truly believes. We tell others of the forgiveness God offers when we understand that the death Christ died on the cross was a substitutionary death for the punishment of our sins.

But, for some reason, the personal guilt that many suffer seems to be treated as though it is exempt from the mercy of God. Many times this guilt will hold women back from serving wholeheartedly. It keeps some from talking about their faith because it “feels” hypocritical to proclaim God’s mercy when they haven’t believed it was complete for them.

In Psalm 32 David says that his bones grew old when he remained silent and groaned because of the sin he had not confessed. But, the Psalm proceeds to tell of the freedom and the gladness he found when God had forgiven him upon his confession.

Confession is a biblical command for the Christian. When it is followed by repentance (turning from the sin) and restitution (if necessary), then, for the Lord, the sin is history. He will not bring it up again.

Sadly, some are not accepting the freedom that comes from confession and knowing the joy of serving the Lord with gladness. Instead they do it with guilt and act more like it is penance than service.

In his book, “Cure of Souls,” R.J. Rushdoony says, “The God of grace sees neither virtue nor merit in an endless mournfulness and misery over one’s sin. Such an attitude indicates an unawareness of forgiveness and grace. It knows Golgotha, but not the empty tomb and the joy of resurrection.”

Serving the Lord with gladness is a command for the Christian (Psalm 100:2). In order to do that, we have to trust God at His Word that when He forgives us our sin it is removed as far as the east is from the west.

We may still have consequences to deal with in the world, but as far as the Lord is concerned we can give up the guilt and never let it plague our faith or service again.

Hallelujah!