Dealing with the Guilt of Sin

Romans 4:6-8

The guilt of sin…we all experience it and we all deal with it. Because it weighs on our conscience and determines our course in life, physically and eternally, we seek to a remedy that will allow us to be justified and ease our hearts and minds. For most people the solution is ultimately insufficient because we desire to be justified while at the same time wanting to live in accordance with the flesh. We want to “have our cake and eat it too.” So men…

  1.  Ignore the sin in hopes that time will ease our guilt. But time is not sufficient for the task; so we flounder in a state of despair.
  2. Seek justification in human wisdom and morality. But mankind, who does not have the ability to reason away the shame of sin (Jeremiah 10:23; Isaiah 55:7-9)
  3. Try to alter or reinterpret God’s Word to ease the culpability of transgression. But it is God’s Word that will judge us in the end (John 12:48). And so men have always been warned by God not to choose this path (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). Certainly those who do will not find the comfort they desire, although for a time they might have a false sense of security, for ultimately to twist the word of God is to contribute to one’s own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

There is only one prescription powerful enough to get rid of guilt? And only God can write it! In Romans 4:6-8 we read that the blessed man is the one to whom God does not reckon sin. Since we have all sinned and continue to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; 5:12) we all have earned a guilty sentence. No man can undo what he has done and time, human reasoning, and not even a misunderstanding of God’s Word will acquit us.

King David was guilty of terrible sins (adultery, murder, lying) and yet he experienced the joy of forgiveness and an eased conscience. We, too, can have this elation when we…

  1.  Quit denying our guilt and recognize that we have sinned.
  2. Admit our guilt to God and act in faithfulness to His will.
  3. Let go of our guilt and believe that God has forgiven us.

“This can be difficult when a sin has taken root in our life over many years, when it is very serious, or when it involves others. We must remember that Jesus is willing and able to forgive every sin.”

If you are not a Christian the only place you can find the peace that passes all understanding and is able to keep our hearts and minds is in Christ (Philippians 4:7). Repent of the sin in your life (Luke 13:3, 5), Confess your faith in Jesus as the only begotten Son of God (Romans 10:9), and be immersed with him in baptism to have your sins washed away (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Peter 3:21). And if you are a Christian it is important to repent of any ongoing sin in your life, confess it unto the Lord, and prayer for forgiveness (Revelation 2:5; 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:22).

You do not have to live with a guilty conscience one more day. Obey Him and be faithful! This life and the one to come are too wonderful to waste another moment not knowing the peace of Jesus Christ.

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We Have An Advocate

Have you ever had a dispute where no one took your side, or where no one was available to represent you on your behalf? Where no one would come forth to be your advocate? (An advocate is a person who pleads for or in behalf of another.) I think most of us have at least felt alone like this at some point in our lives. Under the Patriarchal and Jewish dispensations, when a man sinned against God there was no one to stand up on behalf of the transgressor. There was no one to be his advocate. And, there was no means of propitiation (appeasement toward God) on account of his sin.

The patriarch Job, while facing the testing of his faith and false accusations of his closest friends, expressed his distress at this fact in this way, “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman [umpire – ASV] betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me…” (Job 9:32-35) A “daysman” is an umpire (ASV) or mediator who represents one before another. Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines the word mediator this way, “One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in the word ‘daysman’ (q.v.), marg., ‘umpire.’” The prophet Eli also acknowledged this deficiency under the Law of Moses when he rebuked his sons’ behavior and said, “If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him…?” (1 Samuel 2:25). Under both of these dispensations, the only recourse the sinner was to make a substitutionary sacrifice of an animal to take the place of the sinner.

Under Christ, we do not have to feel as if we are alone, because we do have someone to entreat for us. We do have someone to act as a daysman between us and the God of Heaven. We have an Advocate! Jesus Christ, the Righteous! “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world…”(1 John 2:1-2) The Greek word here translated as “advocate” is taken from the same Greek word translated as “comforter” (KJV) or “helper” (NKJV) in John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7. The Greek word means, “’one who is summoned to the side of another’ to help him in a court of justice by defending him, ‘one who is summoned to plead a cause.’” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary). As our Advocate, Christ not only intercedes on our behalf before His Heavenly Father, but He comforts and helps us at the same time! And even more than that, (yeah much more!) He gave His own life for man as the ultimate propitiation for sin!

 

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A Man After God’s Own Heart

One certainly cannot underestimate the role of the heart in godly religion when he reads what God has revealed through the scriptures. The fact is that God even knows our hearts. When Solomon prayed in dedicating the temple, he made a parenthetical statement in First Kings 8:39: “…for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men.” Jeremiah stated, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:9-10). During the appointment of a successor to Judas Iscariot, the apostles prayed, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men” (Acts 1:24). In addition, when Peter rebuked the sin of Simon of Samaria, he said, “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:21). Therefore, when God describes the great king of Israel, named David, as “a man after mine own heart” (cf. Acts 13:22; 1 Sam. 13:14; 16:6-13), we ought to pay close attention. Why does the Bible describe David in such a way? Notice several reasons.

His heart appreciated the love of God. The love of God demonstrated in his life had a great effect on his life. Thus, he would write, “Show thy marvelous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them” (Ps. 17:7). He appreciated the love of God. Do we appreciate the love of God in our lives (John 3:16; 1 John 4:19)?

His heart appreciated the goodness of God. We can see such demonstrated by the writings of his inspired heart as he wrote the following:

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way…O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing…I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good…Hear me, O Lord; for thy loving kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies…Praise ye the Lord. O, give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. [Ps. 25:7-8; 34:8-10; 54:6; 69:16; 106:1]

As David, do we appreciate the goodness of God? Do we realize that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17)?

His heart expressed the proper attitude toward committed sins. The fact is that all of us sin (Rom. 3:10, 23). There is no question about such. In fact, the grace of God does not overlook sin in anyone. As a result, what is our attitude toward sin when we commit such? When David sinned, he expressed such attitudes of heart as godly sorrow, remorse, confession, repentance and other such virtues (cf. Ps. 32:1-5; 51:1-19). It might be difficult to swallow, but the fact is that God is pleased when sin breaks our hearts!

His heart appreciated the mercy and forgiveness of God. Psalm 51 expresses such statements in beautiful, poetic language. Do we appreciate the mercy and forgiveness of God (cf. Matt. 18:21-35)? The mercy and forgiveness of God should create within us a merciful and forgiving spirit (Matt. 6:14-15). David is quite an example in forgiving Saul and Shimei, just to name a few. Therefore, if these qualities of heart made David special, we can apply these very same qualities to our lives and be Christians after God’s own heart!

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After Thanksgiving Sale

Many phrases inspire quick responsive behavior on the part of others.  “Fire!  Run!  Help!  Dinner!  Free Television!  Incoming!  Snake!”  Right alongside these declarations “ After Thanksgiving Sale ” must reside.  Each year, prior to Thanksgiving the advertisements come pouring out.  Shopping men and women dutifully take note, writing down all the particulars or saving the printed ads.  Many literally write down a schedule of where they need to be minute by minute and what they specifically need to obtain in each location of every store.  They know the prices, shapes, sizes, and colors of their objectives.  Their priorities are established.  It is not unusual to see long lines of people waiting early in the morning hours before stores open whether it is cold, dark, or rainy.  Not only do these folks come early, they stay late!  Busy throughout the day, they are driven like no other time in their life.

Let us consider another moment – Sunday morning.  Sunday morning is a time which the Church gathers as was the example in the early Church (Acts 20:7).  At that time, they sing hymns to God (Ephesians 5:19) and partook of communion as Jesus had commanded them to remember Him (I Corinthians 11:23-26).  The Christians encouraged one another by gathering at these assemblies (Hebrews 10-25) as they also gave cheerfully a collection to further the Word of God and aid needy saints (I Corinthians 16:2).  In the midst of this gathering, Christians also received the Word of God which was able to save their souls (James 1:21).  Sunday morning truly offers great treasure!  Praising God, glorifying God in obedience, remembering the savior of mankind, aiding others and enjoying their fellowship, and partaking of spiritual nourishment to make one complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  My daughter used to wake up as a little girl and declare “It’s day!”  She woke prepared to get going with the day.  How energized do you feel when you hear the phrase “It’s Sunday!”?

“It’s Sunday!”  or “ After Thanksgiving Sale! ” which of these phrases brings more organization, excitement, and involvement to the Christian?  Do they plan ahead their interaction on Sunday?  Do they have their Bibles, notepads, and pens prepared?  Are their lessons done ahead of time?  Is their frame of mind prepared to glorify God or be a spectator?    Do they engage in the singing with voices bright and reverence and cheer on their faces?  When the congregation is viewed, does it appear everyone is at nap time, a funeral, bored out of their mind, disinterested?  Does the Christian come early to be with his spiritual brothers and sisters?  Does he stay late or find opportunity throughout the day to engage in the work of God rain or shine?

Dear friends where is your heart?  Are you excited day by day as the coming of Jesus grows nearer (I Peter 1:13)?  Is this what drives your behavior above all other aspects of your life?  There are many phrases which may ignite your behavior such as “ After Thanksgiving Sale, Free Summer Sausage, and  75% off “, but may “it’s Sunday, let us pray, and study with me” be among the phrases that ignite your heart, soul, strength, and mind above all things.

Psalm 122:1 – I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 

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The Words of Eternal Life

LORD, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?  John 6:68

The question in our heading is a question that the apostle Peter posed many years ago to the question from the Lord, “will you also go away?” There have been many times in my life that I have mentally asked myself the same question that Peter ask, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” The Bible reference reads, John 6:68, “Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” ASV

PETER’S ANSWER

The answer that Peter gave to the question that Jesus ask him indicates that Peter knew for sure that there was no other person to whom one could turn to gain the knowledge of salvation from sin. The understanding that Peter reveals to us about his estimation of Jesus knowledge indicates that he believed very deeply that Jesus was the Messiah. We can have the same kind of confidence in Jesus today because we have the completed Bible that attests to His Divinity.

JESUS HAS WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS

There is not a person living today that does not need to be saved from their sin. Since this is man’s condition he needs to hear and heed the words of Jesus. As Peter says of the Lord in the context here, “… thou hast the words of eternal life.” Nothing in this world is more important than knowing to whom we must turn {i.e., heed} so that we will be able to solve the problem of sin in our life today. Jesus later says, “And ye shall know the truth and  the truth shall  make you John 8:32. We must always be aware of the fact; Jesus has the answer to sin in our life. Indeed, man can be saved from his sin if he is willing to seek it in the teaching of Christ and in his apostles teaching.

The question in our heading is a question that the apostle Peter posed many years ago to the question from the Lord, “will you also go away?” There have been many times in my life that I have mentally asked myself the same question that Peter ask, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” The Bible reference reads, John 6:68, “Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” ASV

PETER’S ANSWER

The answer that Peter gave to the question that Jesus asks him indicates Peter knew for sure that there was no other person to whom one could turn to gain the knowledge of salvation from sin. The understanding that Peter reveals to us about his estimation of Jesus knowledge indicates that he believed very deeply that Jesus IS the Messiah.

JESUS HAS WHAT ALL MEN NEED

There is not a person living today that does not need to be saved from their sin. Since this is man’s condition he needs to hear and heed the words of Jesus. As Peter says of the Lord in the context here, “… thou hast the words of eternal life.” Nothing in this world is more important than knowing to whom we must turn {i.e., heed} so that we will be able to solve the problem of sin in our life today. Jesus later says, “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” – John 8:32.

We must always be aware of the fact; Jesus has the answer to sin in our life. Indeed, man can be saved from his sin if he is willing to seek it in the teaching of Christ [i.e. the Written Word – “BIBLE”].

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