Morning Devotional
July 19, 2005
"The Weight of Guilt"     
    by Don Emmitte

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. (John 3:16-19 NLT).

 

Many studies have been completed detailing the effects of guilt in our lives. Depression, lack of energy for the present, dwelling on the past, diminished self-confidence and self-worth, less effectiveness in solving problems and achieving goals, being overprotective, which leads to your relative's feeling more helpless and dependent, and diminished quality of your life are just a few of these. If you are a Christian who can’t seem to shake the feeling of guilt, I need to assure you today that guilt does not come from God. The devil often uses guilt to keep us from doing the will of God and growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ. The next verse after John 3:16 reminds us that God sent Jesus to save, not to condemn.

 

BEFORE YOU STOP READING THIS DEVOTIONAL, PLEASE UNDERSTAND that the definition of guilt has to do with remorse for having done something wrong. Furthermore, guilt is being responsible for an offense. A Christian’s sins have been paid for on the Cross. One of the very definitions of guilt is "guilty conduct; sin". The sin debt of a Christian was heavy, but every bad offense we have ever committed has been covered over by the grace of Jesus Christ. We still sin, but Jesus doesn't get back on the Cross. His death was sufficient for all our sins. The Bible says there is "no condemnation" for those who are in Christ Jesus.

 

Please don’t misunderstand, you should feel sorry for your sins and ask God for forgiveness. That’s what we call repentance, but God’s motivating factor in obedience is love, not guilt. God guides His children to obey Him with a loving hand. Sometimes God’s love for us involves discipline. Many times we suffer the consequences of our sins. God will lead us to follow Him exclusively, but He will do it with love, not with guilt.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to bring condemnation. He came to bring salvation to all who would believe in Him. Thank God today that there is no guilt for the person who knows and loves Jesus Christ.

 

Get rid of the weight that burdens your life for your past failures. God has no intention of using your past to burden you. He desires to set you free from all of that in the grace of Christ. Step into that freedom today!