Perspective is everything...Most people are guilt ridden. We do not know what to do with it. So we try to cover it up with religion or self improvement. Maybe you are dealing with guilt over your past or maybe even guilt about something in the present.
If you are a Christ follower, think for a moment about the things that you have felt guilt over or are feeling guilt over right now...Bad choices, selfishness, addictions, pornography, adultery, lust, lying, cheating, angry outbursts....etc etc...
Not fun or pleasant to look at those old home movies...
But think about it for a minute. Your sin and your guilt brought you to Jesus. If there is no sin or guilt then there is no need for a Savior. However, the realization of guilt brought you to the feet of the only true merciful Savior. In the present tense guilt does the same. Guilt brings me closer to Jesus if I cooperate with it.
Do the math....
Jesus loves sinners. Jesus died for sinners. Because I am a guilty sinner Jesus loves me and died for me.
"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son." (Romans 5:6-10 NLT)
Our good deeds, our righteousness, cannot add to the righteousness of Christ. Our goodness can never add to His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead that put an end to sin and death for the believer. However, it is equally important to remember that my sin does not take away from His righteousness and finished work either!
The Church Reformer Martin Luther wrote in a letter to a fellow minister:
"If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but
the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the
true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only
imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let
your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the
victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we
are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We,
however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that
through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the
sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to
kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think
such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager
sacrifice for our sins?..."
Luther is not encouraging us to sin, but to recognize the enormity of the gospel and the greatness of Christ. He is encouraging us to be more focused on Jesus and His finished work than on our failures. Let your failures drive you closer to the Savior. The more you recognize your need of Him the closer to Him you will be. That is the upside of guilt.
Luther concluded his letter to the minister tongue and cheek:
"Pray hard for you are quite a sinner."
If you are not a Christ follower what are you going to do with your guilt?
Self help? Self improvement? Self atonement? Self righteousness?
Has that ever really worked?
My encouragement is for you to turn your life and guilt over to the One who gave His life for yours. He promises forgiveness and eternal life to those who trust Him.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
He died for sinners. Will you admit that you are a sinner and that He is the Savior and come to Him today?
