"Free From Guilt"

Some people have a sense of guilt. They sense their guilt all the time. They know they have performed some past act and it still haunts them. They simply have difficulty over-coming. The problem with this is two-fold: (1) Lingered guilt will lead one into depression. (2) One cannot serve the living God while guilty.

(1) David was a man after God's own heart. He failed miserably at times. He committed adultery, murder and deceived. In all this, he was still a man after God's own heart. What made God speak of him in this way? Because David knew where to turn, to run and find a release for his sins. He looked to the Lord God for his cleansing and direction. David offered to God what God asked for, an humble and contrite heart. As long as David kept silent about his sin, depression ate him up within (Psa. 32:3-4). When his heart turned to the Lord, he confessed his sin to God, in the presence of God, he found complete forgiveness (Psa. 32:5).

(2) When people are guilty, they try to serve the Lord to find relief. Their service is out of guilt and a release from their guilt and not the Lord. People in guilt often speak of praying more, studying more or attending more assemblies or studies. Why? They want to be free from guilt. That's backward. That's a work system. The blood of Jesus is the ONLY thing that can cleanse a guilty conscience to free one to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14). If the blood of Jesus isn't the basis of our cleansing within and our drawing near to God, then we are serving our guilt and ourselves and not the Lord. Many do not realize this. The blood is Jesus frees us and atones for our failures. The blood of Christ is our payment and no amount of work you do will atone for your sinfulness! Only through Jesus can one draw near to God! If you work your way out of your guilt, then your salvation is being based on your works and that leaves Jesus out.

Trust the atoning blood of Jesus! Let your heart approach Him being contrite and humble. Be honest toward the Lord and therein you will find release from your guilt. That brings you the freedom to serve from a heart and conscience cleansed!