Last blog post I began to dive into Matthew 5:3-12 and look at how the passage outlines the spiritual journey we all must take as we grow and mature in Christ. It's not an end all comprehensive step by step process but I intend to outline some key signposts the passage reveals to me.
"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted"
Christ is about God who in all his holiness was separated from man because of sin, a poison that came in and eroded God's creation, man, and the relationship between all living things. Christ is about sacrifice, God who sent his son out of his love to die to make a way for restoration. Christ is not just forgiveness but even more so repentance.
Forgiveness means you recognize you got caught doing wrong and are sorry. Repentance is turning away, changing the direction one is headed in. As we come into contact with Christ, and his light pours into our lives, we should see the need for changes in our life. We should mourn our actions that aren't in obedience. That's conviction from the Holy Spirit who will indwell us when we come to Christ in faith and are baptized.
Conviction isn't the same as guilt however. Guilt brings doubt, negative feelings, worthlessness. Guilt takes away from confidence by saying we aren't capable of any better. Conviction shows us right and wrong and fuels us, affirming our beliefs and values. Conviction encourages while guilt discourages.
May the Holy Spirit convict you and lead you in the path of Christ, and may the Spirit bring you out from under guilt, which Satan will use to keep you hopeless.
Showing posts with label guilt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guilt. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ashamed...but forgiven
Today while i was driving back to Gville, as I was coming through New Bern bout to pick up 17, I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I was speeding and sure enough, a trooper picked up my trail, flipped on his blue lights and proceeded to give me a ticket.
I have no excuses, even though I thought i was in a 55 when i was in fact in a 50. Or the fact that I speeded up a little more to get myself into the right lane before i missed my exit. I admit I do speed, sometimes blatantly, and I got caught. The trooper wasn't a jerk by any means, he was in fact rather kind.
Getting the ticket and knowing I would need to pay a fine wasn't the worst part. That I was able to cooly handle. Telling my parents was another matter.
We've all felt guilt from getting caught doing wrong. Funny how guilt isn't so strong when we get away with it. Sin works the same way. We think no big deal until others find out, then we feel ashamed. 2 problems with that thinking
1) God knows our every thought, action, and intention. We can't hide anything from Him
2) I learned a long time ago that our sins will surely find us out. If not this side of heaven, all will be revealed on judgement day. Yes even us Christians will be charged for our actions. But Jesus has allready taken our punishment.
And so I called my parents after talking to my Heavenly Father. I expected to be yelled at, to hear "We told you about driving fast", and to hear the burden of having to pay a ticket, when money isnt in steady supply. I got chastised sure, but thankfully my parents saw through to my heart, and forgave me.
Our Father in heaven does too. Even though my parents forgave me, there's still the fine to be paid to Craven County.
Even though God forgives us, the price of sin still must be paid. Jesus however paid all in full when He gave his life on the cross. Will you accept his offer?
I have no excuses, even though I thought i was in a 55 when i was in fact in a 50. Or the fact that I speeded up a little more to get myself into the right lane before i missed my exit. I admit I do speed, sometimes blatantly, and I got caught. The trooper wasn't a jerk by any means, he was in fact rather kind.
Getting the ticket and knowing I would need to pay a fine wasn't the worst part. That I was able to cooly handle. Telling my parents was another matter.
We've all felt guilt from getting caught doing wrong. Funny how guilt isn't so strong when we get away with it. Sin works the same way. We think no big deal until others find out, then we feel ashamed. 2 problems with that thinking
1) God knows our every thought, action, and intention. We can't hide anything from Him
2) I learned a long time ago that our sins will surely find us out. If not this side of heaven, all will be revealed on judgement day. Yes even us Christians will be charged for our actions. But Jesus has allready taken our punishment.
And so I called my parents after talking to my Heavenly Father. I expected to be yelled at, to hear "We told you about driving fast", and to hear the burden of having to pay a ticket, when money isnt in steady supply. I got chastised sure, but thankfully my parents saw through to my heart, and forgave me.
Our Father in heaven does too. Even though my parents forgave me, there's still the fine to be paid to Craven County.
Even though God forgives us, the price of sin still must be paid. Jesus however paid all in full when He gave his life on the cross. Will you accept his offer?
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