"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH GUILT FROM SIN"

"HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE DEALING WITH GUILT FROM SIN"

John 8:10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

John 8:11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Ps 130:4  But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Some explanatory thoughts.

1. Sin is very real, but, please notice what is not real. And, that is the condemnation from Jesus. See John 8:10-11, and 1John 3:17 above.

2. Condemnation, means, to judge, to call into question, or to say, "I've had it with you, I reject you, I'm done with you, there is no hope for you. Well, none of those thoughts are in the mind and heart of our Lord towards us when we have sinned. Be sure of that.

3. What we do have from God is forgiveness. See Ps 130:4a which means, to send away, to depart. He can send away our sins, because of what Christ has done in dying on the cross for our sins, and our believing in Him.

4. There is not only forgiveness, but there is also another truth about God and our sin. See Ps 130:4b, and it is that God may be feared. Or respected. Sin, blocks our true view of God, and it causes us to somehow forget about Him at the moment, and we become unwise. But, when we have sinned, and we start feeling the guilt from our thoughts or actions, the fear of the Lord can come back into view in our minds and hearts.

The Bible says concerning the fear of the Lord, 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

5. Back to forgiveness for a moment. It's in a very real sense conditional. We must confess, or admit our sins, and then we are forgiven. But, not only are we forgiven, but we are promised cleansing. Which means, to be free from the defilement of sin and from our faults. It means to be free from guilt.

A prayer.

Lord, the Bible says, "What man is there that sinneth not" Or "He who is without sin" So, that certainly includes each and everyone of us. We especially pray for anyone who this day has sinned, and is dealing with the guilt and the consequences of that sin. We know that You not only forgive sin, but You also even have a way of taking those consequences and working them together for our good. Sin, and forgiveness, give us much to be thankful for. Not the sin, but for Your forgiving us. Thank You. Cleanse us, and help us to do what you told the woman to do, " Go and sin no more" Thank You again Lord, in Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier